Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Punjab CM to Appear Before Akal Takht
Punjab's Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, has been asked to go to the Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat to explain some things he said.
He will go there on Thursday and will walk barefoot to the Golden Temple first.
There will be lots of police around to keep things safe.
Meanwhile, the central government has said no to a trip that Mann and another minister wanted to take to the UK and Israel.
They wanted to go there to get more money for Punjab.
This is not the first time the central government has said no to such trips.
Earlier, they also said no to Mann going to Paris to support the Indian hockey team during the Olympics.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to appear before acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj at Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat.
Mann will arrive barefoot via the heritage path and pay obeisance at the Golden Temple before appearing at the Akal Takht.
Heavy police deployment in civilian attire has been stationed around the Akal Takht Sahib and the Golden Temple complex.
Union government denied political clearance for Mann and Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora's visit to the UK and Israel in February.
This is not the first time Mann has been denied such permission by the Centre; in August 2024, the Centre also denied his request to visit Paris.
- Who
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora
- What
- Denial of political clearance for a proposed visit to the UK and Israel, and appearance before Akal Takht Sahib
- When
- Proposed visit in February, exact dates not finalized; appearance on Thursday
- Where
- UK and Israel (proposed visit), Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat (appearance)
- Why
- To attract investments (visit), summoned over alleged remarks (appearance)
Punjab Government
Union Government
Political Clearance for International Visits
Punjab Government
The Punjab government believes the denial of political clearance for the CM's visits is unjustified and hinders state activities.
Union Government
The Union government has not provided a reason for denying the clearance, maintaining its stance without explicit explanation.
- Chief Minister
- Bhagwant Mann
- Acting Jathedar
- Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj
- Location of Appearance
- Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat
- Time of Appearance
- Between noon and 2 pm
- Security Arrangements
- Heavy police deployment in civilian attire
- Proposed Visit Countries
- UK and Israel
- Reason for Visit
- To attract investments
- Clearance Denied By
- Union Government
- Previous Denial
- August 2024 for Paris visit
Sources
Centre denied political clearance for CM Mann’s proposed visit to UK, Israel: Punjab AAP
AAP Says Centre Denied Clearance For Bhagwant Mann's Visits To UK, Israel
‘Nobody is above Sri Akal Takht’: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to appear before Jathedar amid tight security at Golden Temple
‘Centre denied political clearance for Mann’s proposed visit to UK, Israel’
‘I neither have the courage nor the stature’: CM Bhagwant Mann appears before Akal Takht to clarify remarks on Sikh traditions
At Akal Takht, Bhagwant Mann Dismisses Viral Video As AI-Generated
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann appears before Akal Takht over ‘Golak’ remarks