The Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, issued a ten‑day ultimatum to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday, demanding the closure of two alleged “IT cells” operating in Mohali and Chandigarh. Gargaj claimed the cells were coordinating a systematic social‑media offensive targeting the Akal Takht Sahib and other Sikh religious institutions.
According to the statement read at the Akal Takht, the two centres were “being used to run an organised social media campaign against Akal Takht Sahib and other revered Sikh institutions.” The Jathedar warned that failure to shut down the operations within ten days would result in “serious consequences,” though he did not specify the nature of those actions.
The warning follows a series of complaints from Sikh leaders who allege that pro‑government digital teams are attempting to shape public opinion on contentious issues, including the recent farm‑law protests and the handling of the 2020–2021 COVID‑19 pandemic in Punjab. The Akal Takht’s communiqué did not provide documentary evidence of the alleged IT cells, and officials in the Punjab government have not responded to requests for comment.
Analysis:
The ultimatum underscores escalating tensions between the state’s political leadership and the religious establishment. By framing the alleged IT cells as a direct threat to Sikh institutions, the Akal Takht is mobilising its moral authority to pressure the government. For the Mann administration, compliance could be seen as conceding that a coordinated digital operation exists, potentially inviting scrutiny of its communications strategy. Conversely, a refusal might provoke further protests from the Sikh community, which could impact the ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s political standing in a state where religious sentiment heavily influences voter behaviour. The lack of publicly available evidence makes independent verification difficult, highlighting the challenge of assessing digital influence operations without transparent disclosures.
Sources
NDTV. “Shut Down IT Cell Or We Will’: Akal Takht’s 10‑Day Warning To Bhagwant Mann.” https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/shut-down-it-cell-or-we-will-akal-takhts-10-day-warning-to-bhagwant-mann-11730076#publisher=newsstand
Story synopsis gathered from: NDTV – India News — source
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