Exactly a year after he was arrested from Moga, the incarcerated pro-Khalistan ideologue Amritpal Singh, the self-styled head of ‘Waris Punjab De’ outfit, currently serving time in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act (NSA), is reportedly eyeing a political foray in Punjab. Sources suggest that he is contemplating contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the panthic seat of Khadoor Sahib as an Independent candidate.
Confirming this development, a former MP and legal counsel for Amritpal Singh Advocate Rajdev Singh Khalsa revealed that his client has expressed a firm intention to contest from the Khadoor Sahib seat. Khalsa, who recently met Amritpal Singh in Dibrugarh, affirmed the latter's resolve to enter the political arena despite his ongoing legal battles.
This potential move has sparked significant interest and debate, given Amritpal Singh's controversial background and past involvement in violent incidents. Notably, his former associate had filed a complaint accusing Amritpal of orchestrating the abduction and assault of an individual named Barinder Singh from Ajnala. Subsequently, in February 2023, he and his supporters allegedly attacked a police station in Ajnala, resulting in injuries to six police officers.
However, amidst these developments, Amritpal Singh’s mother, Balwinder Kaur, has refuted the reports of her son’s electoral aspirations. She emphasized that no decision has been made regarding his candidacy, despite pressure from the supporters urging him to contest.
Kaur revealed that Amritpal Singh’s father is currently in Dibrugarh, and any decision regarding the election would be made after careful consideration and deliberation.
As the political landscape in Punjab continues to evolve, Amritpal’s potential entry into electoral politics is expected to add a layer of complexity and intrigue. From once advocating for Khalistan — a separate land for Khalsa or Sikhs, and challenging the Indian state, Amritpal now seemed poised to navigate the democratic process within the bounds of the Indian Constitution.
Moreover, his candidacy has raised questions about the support he might garner and the implications for Punjab’s political dynamics. While some view his bid as a bold assertion of democratic rights, others express concerns about his controversial past and its impact on Punjab’s stability.
In light of these developments, stakeholders across the political spectrum are closely monitoring Amritpal’s next steps. The possibility of a mainstream party extending support to his candidature further underscored the significance of his entry into electoral politics.
As of now, only Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP have declared their candidates for the Khadoor Sahib segment — currently represented by Congress’ Jasbir Singh Dimpa Gill. While the Congress is considering not to re-nominate Dimpa from the panthic seat of Khadoor Sahib, Shiromani Akali Dal is in search of a suitable face even as it has declared its candidates for the 12 seats.
AAP has nominated Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar from the seat, while BJP has fielded former SAD MLA Manjeet Singh Manna Mianwind.
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.
