 "Jailed Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh likely to float a new party on January 14. Here's what we know")
Punjab’s political landscape is poised for a shake-up, as NSA-accused and jailed Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh will likely announce a new political party on January 14.
Amritpal, a Lok Sabha MP from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib seat, was arrested, along with his aides, under the National Security Act (NSA) on April 23, 2023, after over a month of manhunt by the Punjab police. Since then he has been lodged in the Dibrugarh jail of Assam.
But why is Amritpal Singh launching his own party? Who will be its members? Here’s what we know so far.
First, who is Amritpal Singh? why is he so controversial?
Amritpal Singh is the follower of pro-Khalistan militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a leading figure of the separatist movement in the early 1980s, who was killed by the Indian Army in Operation Blue Star.
Now, Amritpal dubbed ‘Bhindranwale 2.0’ has become one of the most controversial figures in Punjab . The government describes him as a Khalistani-Pakistan agent.
The 32-year-old first grabbed attention in 2022 when he was appointed as the head of the Punjabi political group founded by late actor-activist Deep Sidhu named ‘Waris Punjab De’, meaning “heirs of Punjab”.
Following his appointment, Amritpal delivered a series of pro-Khalistani speeches and made headlines for leading an armed mob of 200-250 individuals that stormed the Ajnala police station near Amritsar in March 2023. The attack was aimed at securing the release of one of the group’s members and left several police officers injured.
What ensued was a month-long dramatic chase between Amritpal and the Punjab Police. Twice, he managed to evade arrest. However, he ultimately surrendered in Rode village after addressing a gathering at a gurdwara. Along with his aides, he was arrested under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
But Amritpal’s arrest is just the tip of the iceberg, he has been accused of committing several crimes.
According to sources in the home ministry, the preacher was allegedly planning to launch a statewide procession to baptise the youth in Punjab to carry out suicide attacks. He was using de-addiction centres to stockpile weapons illegally sourced from Pakistan through its spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence , reports NDTV.
He has also been accused of promoting “gun culture” and fuelling communal tensions in Punjab. His speeches, calling for Sikh youth to “fight for freedom”, have drawn widespread condemnation.
“We all are still slaves… We have to fight for freedom… Our waters are being looted, and our Guru is being disrespected… The youth of Punjab should be ready to give up their lives for panth,” The Indian Express quoted him as saying.
Despite his contentious past, Amritpal made headlines yet again when he emerged victorious in the Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate from Khadoor Sahib seat. Winning by a massive margin of 1.93 lakh votes, he secured the highest victory margin in Punjab during this election.
On 5 July last year, Amritpal was airlifted from Dibrugarh to Delhi for his oath-taking ceremony as a Lok Sabha MP.
What we know of his political party
In September 2024, Tarsem Singh, the father of Amritpal Singh, advocated for the creation of a new political party to address Punjab’s critical socio-economic and cultural challenges.
Speaking after offering prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, he emphasised the need for a party that could strengthen Punjab during a sensitive phase. “The party will be for the welfare of all and will follow the principle of equality of mankind (Manas ki jaat sabhay eke pechano),” he said.
According to The New Indian Express, Faridkot independent MP Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, son of one of the assassins of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, will also be part of this new political endeavour.
He had mentioned to the outlet that a panel would be established to draft the framework of the party. Following this, the name of the party and its members will be officially announced. Both Tarsem Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa are expected to make the formal declaration on January 14.
The launch of this regional political outfit is anticipated during the ‘Panth Bachao, Punjab Bachao’ rally at the ‘Maghi Da Mela’ in Punjab’s Sri Muktsar Sahib.
The formation of this new party will be a significant moment in shaping the future political landscape of Punjab.
With input from agencies
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