Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann issued a second clarification rejecting allegations linked to a viral video and calling the footage fake [1].
The denial comes as the state government seeks to neutralize claims of wrongdoing. The controversy has intensified following an Akal Takht ostracisation decree issued days earlier [1], [2].
Mann issued the second clarification within 48 hours of the initial controversy [1]. The move is intended to refute allegations that the video depicts the chief minister engaging in misconduct. Along with Mann, Punjab minister Harpal Cheema has been involved in the government's response to the row [1], [2].
To verify the authenticity of the clip, the government submitted the footage for technical review. Two government-recognised laboratories examined the video [2]. These labs concluded that the footage was fabricated and did not represent a genuine recording of the chief minister [2].
The forensic process involved a detailed examination of the media. According to the findings, the video was analysed from over 1,100 angles to determine if it had been manipulated [2]. This extensive analysis served as the basis for the government's conclusion that the content was fake.
Mann said the video was an attempt to mislead the public. The administration continues to maintain that the fabrication was designed to damage the reputation of the leadership in Punjab [1].
“Two government-recognised laboratories examined the video”
The use of government-recognised laboratories to debunk the video suggests the administration is attempting to move the debate from a political argument to a technical one. By citing a high number of analysis angles and official lab certifications, the Punjab government aims to provide a definitive evidentiary stop to the viral allegations and restore public trust in the chief minister's image.
