It’s official! In a move that has captured the attention of political observers across the nation, Khalistan ideologue Amritpal Singh is all set to foray into the electoral battleground.
Despite being incarcerated at Assam’s Dibrugarh jail under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), ‘Waris Punjab De’ head Amritpal will embark on a new journey as his mother Balwinder Kaur on Friday officially declared his candidacy for the Khadoor Sahib constituency — putting an end to the suspense around his candidature. The official announcement regarding Amritpal’s candidacy from Khadoor Sahib came two days after his counsel Rajdev Singh Khalsa had claimed that his client had expressed a firm intention to contest the Lok Sabha elections. Khalsa, who had met Amritpal in Dibrugarh on Wednesday, affirmed the latter’s resolve to enter the political arena despite his ongoing legal battles. However, Amritpal’s mother, who has been participating in
the pakka morcha (a permanent sit-in protest) seeking Amritpal and his associates’ release at Amritsar, had denied the same. Amritpal’s decision to contest the impending Lok Sabha elections independently comes as a surprise to many, considering his previous reluctance to enter mainstream politics. However, his mother Balwinder
Kaur revealed that relentless pressure from the community, his followers, coupled with the plight of Sikh inmates and their families, has compelled him to take this bold step. Highlighting the rationale behind Amritpal’s decision, Balwinder Kaur emphasized his unwavering commitment to promote Sikh values
and address the pressing issues
facing Punjab. She highlighted his dedication to eradicate the drug menace that has plagued the State for years, emphasizing that his candidacy represented a beacon of hope for those affected by addiction. Furthermore, she underscored the need to secure justice
for Sikh inmates who have been unjustly detained, stating
that Amritpal’s candidacy aimed to bring attention to their cause on an international level. She expressed confidence in his ability to amplify their voices and advocate for their rights both within India and on the global stage.
“When I spoke with Amritpal, he initially felt that if he were alone in jail, it wouldn't
matter much. But now, with his associates also unjustly incarcerated, it’s a completely different situation. That's why he has decided to contest the elections….Amritpal has made the decision to enter politics for the sake of his fellow inmates.
I urge the sangat to stand by Amritpal so that he can serve the community upon his release from jail. We aim to eradicate drugs from Punjab and safeguard the youth. His goal in entering the political arena is solely to promote Sikhism,” said Balwinder Kaur. Amritpal’s mother added that his main objective, behind
contesting polls, was only to “give a powerful voice to the wave of religious preaching, to end atrocities under the ‘atrocious’ NSA, and to bring
Punjab’s pain to the international stage”. Khadoor Sahib, a constituency with deep-rooted significance in Sikh history and culture, is poised to become the battleground for this high-stakes electoral contest. Traditionally known as
a panthic seat, the constituency holds immense symbolic importance for the Sikh community. Amid swirling speculations over the self-styled preacher’s political aspirations,
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has been considering extending support to the candidacy of Amritpal Singh, a prominent figure in the pro-Khalistan movement. While SAD has yet to announce its candidate for the Khadoor Sahib constituency, the official confirmation of Amritpal's entry into the electoral arena has heightened anticipation regarding its stance. All attention is now focused on whether SAD will align with Amritpal, whose fervent advocacy for the Khalistan cause resonates with the party's panthic agenda. Back in 1989, amidst the political turbulence, SAD had thrown its weight behind former IPS officer and Khalistan supporters Simranjeet Singh Mann, who was then behind bars. Against all odds, Mann clinched victory with an impressive tally of nearly four lakh votes. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already declared Cabinet Minister Laljit
Singh Bhullar as its candidate from Khadoor Sahib, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
had nominated former SAD MLA Manjeet Singh Manna Mianwind. As the election campaign gains momentum, all eyes will be on Khadoor Sahib to witness the unfolding dynamics of this politically charged constituency. The contest will not only determine the representation of the people but also serve as a barometer of the prevailing sentiments within Punjab's Sikh community. Notably, on April 23, 2023, the Punjab Police managed to arrest Amritpal Singh ending a 35-day dramatic chase. Amritpal was arrested from Moga district’s Rode village — the ancestral village of slain Khalistani militant ‘Sant’ Jarnail Singh Bindrawale. Revered as Bhindrawale 2.0 by his followers, Amritpal had strategically chosen Rode village’s Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sant Khalsa — erected nearly 38 years after Bhindranwale died in Operation Blue Star in 1984 — to surrender. It was the same Gurdwara where the ceremony of Amritpal’s dastarbandi (installation), as the head of Waris Punjab De, was held on September 29, 2022, amidst the slogans of “Khalistan Zindabad”. Born in 1993 in Jalandhar’s Jallupur Kheda village, Amritpal initially pursued business ventures in Dubai after completing his high school education. However, upon returning to India, he became associated with the farmer agitation in Delhi and later founded the ‘Waris Punjab De’ organization. Initially aimed at engaging youth in Sikhism and awakening Punjab, the organization later faced accusations of radicalizing youth.
