Punjab CM Mann held a press conference to respond to a viral video that has been circulating on social media and during the press conference Mann repeatedly stated that the person seen in the video is not him and presented several points which according to him prove that the video is fake.
CM alleged that his political opponents were attempting to gain political mileage by spreading the video and using it to target him on religious grounds and said efforts were being made to defame him because his opponents were unable to challenge him politically.
One of the main points highlighted by Mann was the absence of a surgical mark on the neck of the person seen in the video and according to Chief Minister he has a visible surgical scar on his neck but the person appearing in the viral footage does not have that mark and addressing reporters Mann said those who allegedly created the video "forgot to add the mark" on the neck while trying to make the person resemble him and also described this as a major flaw in the video.
Mann also showed a separate video during the press conference and in that video a person is seen explaining how a face mask resembling Mann's face could be used to create such footage and also said the video demonstrates how another individual could wear a mask and appear similar to him.
According to Mann the side profile visible in the viral footage shows signs that the person is wearing a mask and claimed that the mask can be seen around the neck area and from the side angle and he further argued that while facial features can be altered using a mask, eyes cannot be changed in the same way and for this reason he said the person in the video is wearing glasses.
Mann listed three key observations which he believes expose the video as fake:
1. The surgical mark on his neck is missing.
2. The side view allegedly shows that a mask is being worn.
3. The person is wearing glasses because eyes cannot be altered through the mask.
Mann also referred to another video involving a person identified by him as Jagman Samra and according to Chief Minister the video shows Samra holding a mask of Mann's face and discussing how it could be used while filming, Mann claimed this demonstrated the method through which the viral video may have been created, Mann further alleged that the mask was made specifically for this purpose and that another person wore it while recording the footage and said the viral clip was then circulated to create controversy.
Mann also questioned the timeline being attached to the video and stated that some people were claiming the footage was from after 2017 or 2018 however he said he has not visited Canada since November 2016 and according to him this raises questions about the claims being made regarding the video's origin and timeline.
CM Mann also commented on the location seen in the footage and said the video appears to have been shot inside a hotel room referring to the interiors visible in the footage, Mann claimed the design and appearance of the room looked more modern than what would have existed during the period being claimed by those circulating the video, he further questioned why a picture of Guru Sahib would be displayed inside a hotel room suggesting that the setting shown in the video raises additional doubts.
Apart from addressing the video itself Mann accused his political opponents of trying to use controversy for political purposes and said boards calling for his boycott had been placed outside some gurdwaras. The Chief Minister questioned why similar boards were not put up against Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal while he also alleged that religious edicts and public campaigns against him were being orchestrated to gain political advantage. He maintained that the controversy was being driven by political motives rather than facts.
The Chief Minister said he remains willing to appear before Sri Akal Takht Sahib if called and also announced that the videos and related material would be sent to Sri Akal Takht Sahib for examination, Mann stated that he wants the matter to be investigated and said he would leave the final judgment to the Sangat.
