Bhagwant Mann video row: CM Says Prosthetic Mask, Sunglasses Used to Impersonate Him in Fake Video; Names Canada-Based Jagman Samra

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann at a Mohali press conference named Canada-based Jagman Samra and claimed a prosthetic mask and sunglasses were used to impersonate him in the viral “Guru Dokhi” video.

North Desk Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 25

In latest development on Bhagwant Mann video row, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday held a press conference in Mohali to present what he called evidence that the viral video at the centre of the “Guru Dokhi” controversy does not show him — and named a Canada-based individual as the man behind the alleged conspiracy.

Playing the purported video at the press conference, Mann made a series of specific claims about why the person in the footage is not him.

Bhagwant Mann video row: The Prosthetic Mask Claim

Mann said the person in the video is wearing a prosthetic mask — a sculpted, wearable makeup appliance made of foam latex or silicone — to pass off as him. He pointed to the absence of a visible scar on the actor’s throat as proof. “The scar on my throat is missing in the actor’s throat in the video,” he said.

He added that the physical features of the person in the video do not match his own.

The Sunglasses Argument

Bhagwant Mann video row: Mann said the person in the video has deliberately worn sunglasses to conceal his eyes. “His eyes would expose his real identity,” the CM said, suggesting that the choice of eyewear was not incidental but a deliberate attempt to avoid identification.

Jagman Samra Named

Bhagwant Mann video row: Bhagwant Mann publicly named an individual he says is responsible for the video. He identified the person as Jagman Samra, whom he described as “a blackmailer” based in Abbotsford, Canada.

Mann alleged that Samra had a prosthetic mask of his face made and shot the viral video in Canada. He further alleged that Samra had also made a mask of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. “A joint forum of opposition parties is behind this targeted attack, which will be revealed in the days to come,” he said.

When asked by mediapersons whether Samra was his friend, Mann was blunt: “Samra is not my friend. He had met me only once. But I know he has a tainted past.” He added that he had not travelled to Canada after 2016, countering opposition claims that the video was from 2018-19.

READ ALSO: Bhagwant Mann Forensic Row Explained: Who Is Jaspreet Singh and What Happened

The SGPC Challenge

Mann also directly questioned the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee over its response to the controversy. He asked why boycott boards against him had been put up when similar action was not taken against former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal when the Akal Takht declared him a tankhayyia. “I am a humble Sikh who respects the Akal Takht. I am not in that video,” he said.

He said he would submit his version — including the facts he presented at the press conference — to the Akal Takht and to the police, so that action could be taken against those responsible.

Opposition hits back

BJP Punjab chief Kewal Dhillon hit back at the CM asking him to remove the “mask of lies.” He raised many questions in his post on X.

Background

The controversy erupted after a video purportedly showing Mann in a religiously objectionable situation began circulating on social media. The Akal Takht issued an edict against Mann on June 15. Since then, both the Akal Takht and AAP have produced conflicting forensic reports on the video’s authenticity.

Mann had earlier claimed the video was AI-generated. Thursday’s press conference marked a shift in his explanation — he now says a physical impersonator wearing a prosthetic mask and sunglasses was used, not artificial intelligence.

Separately, Gurugram Police have arrested two individuals after a forensic expert filed a complaint alleging he was pressured into producing a predetermined report to give Mann a clean chit. North Desk has reported in detail on the Gurugram FIR.

The Akal Takht has summoned Sikh AAP MLAs and cabinet ministers to Amritsar on June 29. Punjab assembly elections are due in early 2027.

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READ ALSO: Bhagwant Mann New Video: From Height to Looks, CM’s 6 Claims Why It’s Fake