Chandigarh, June 25 (AHN) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday presented evidence exposing the conspiracy behind a fake video circulated on social media to malign his image on religious grounds.

Displaying videos and other material before the media in Mohali, the Chief Minister said a mask resembling him was procured and used to create the fabricated video.

He also identified Canada-based Jagman Samra as the person who used the mask to shoot the video.

Chief Minister Mann said the fake video was filmed in a hotel in Canada, whereas he has not visited the country since 2016.

He also added that the mask was delivered to Samra in a car and that Samra was subsequently seen holding it.

Pointing out that the mask was clearly visible in the video and that his neck surgery scar was missing, the Chief Minister said the makers of the fake video had been identified and would be exposed after verification.

He also announced that the matter would be placed before the Akal Takht along with the evidence.

Chief Minister Mann said for the last several days a fake and fabricated video featuring him has been circulated repeatedly.

"Religious directives were also got issued only to derive political benefit from it. Political masters are using people occupying religious positions to make announcements according to their convenience in an attempt to defame me religiously because they cannot compete with me politically. They have become completely irrelevant on the ground and have now stooped to issuing one order after another every day only to malign me religiously."

The Chief Minister added, "Our (Aam Aadmi Party) government has done unprecedented work for the social, economic and religious welfare of the people of Punjab. Whether it is the strict 'anti-beadbi' law, waiving the tax on vehicles carrying Palki Sahib, holding the Vidhan Sabha session in Anandpur Sahib at the feet of Guru Sahib during the 350th Shaheedi Diwas celebrations, or granting 'holy city' status to three sacred cities, that they (opposition parties) cannot compete with these decisions."

He said that all the opposition parties have now united with only one objective: target Bhagwant Mann through false videos so that people begin to hate me, adding: "That will never happen."

Questioning the role of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Chief Minister added, "Boards have been put up outside Gurdwaras asking people to boycott Bhagwant Mann in the name of the orders of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, whose supreme authority I fully respect along with the entire Sikh Sangat across the world."

"Why were such boards not put up against Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal when he was declared 'Tankhaiya'? Why were people not asked to boycott those held responsible for 'beadbi' incidents and police firing? When the SGPC President himself says he is a soldier of Sukhbir Singh Badal rather than Guru Gobind Singh-ji, it becomes clear where his loyalties lie."

Reaffirming his respect for the Akal Takht, CM Mann said, "When I was called to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, I went there as a humble Sikh. Even today, if I am called, I will appear without hesitation. I can never challenge the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, nor do I have the stature to do so."