Punjab CM draws flak for visiting gurudwara in ‘drunken state’, police complaint filed

New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday found himself at the centre of controversy as serious allegations have been made against him about entering a Sikh shrine in inebriated condition.

The Shrimonani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC) has alleged that Punjab CM had entered the Takht Damdama Sahib in a drunken state. It claimed that Bhagwant Mann visited the religious shrine on the occasion of Baishaki (April 14) and while he offered prayers, he was under the influence of alcohol.

A police complaint has also been lodged against the AAP leader by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Tejinder Singh Bagga. While lodging complaint, he also requested Punjab DGP to take swift action in the case.

Taking to Twitter, the BJP spokesperson also tweeted screenshot of the police complaint, he wrote, “Filed Police complaint against Punjab CM @BhagwantMann for Entering Gurudwara Damdama Sahib in Drunk Condition.”

Filed Police complaint against Punjab CM @BhagwantMann for Entering Gurudwara Damdama Sahib in Drunk Condition. I request @DGPPunjabPolice @PunjabPoliceInd to take action on my complaint pic.twitter.com/3bde4i32zI

— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) April 16, 2022

The SGPC has also demanded an apology from the Punjab CM for offending the religious sentiments of Sikh community. In a press release, SGPC said the chief minister has “violated the Sikh rehat maryada (code of conduct)”.

Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, is situated in Bathinda district and comprises a seat of temporal authority of Sikhism. It is here that Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, prepared full version of the religion’s scriptures called Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

While the state celebrated Baishaki, the holy shrine by visited by thousands of devouts including Bhagwant Mann.

AAP is yet to comment on the issue. But, one thing is certain that given the fact the state holds religion as one of topmost priorities of life, AAP will have to do a lot of firefighting in soothing people’s anger.