Amritpal Singh, the new Member of Parliament (MP) from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib constituency has taken his oath with tight security. Singh was escorted by the Punjab Police to the capital for the ceremony. His election while being detained has been a major talking point.
Amritpal Singh’s history and election victory
Singh, a self-styled Sikh preacher, captured headlines as a pro-Khalistan separatist. His rapid ascent has reignited memories of the 1980s insurgency in Punjab, a dark period when thousands lost their lives. Now, as the Member of Parliament representing the Khadoor Sahib constituency, Singh’s influence looms large.
His family, deeply religious, hails from the Sandhu clan of Jatt Sikhs. Singh’s uncle, Harjit Singh Sandhu, served as the village sarpanch for a decade before relocating to the United Kingdom. Amritpal’s own journey took him to Dubai, where he worked in transportation, trucking, and dispatching. His LinkedIn profile claimed a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Punjab, but details of his time in Dubai remain shrouded in mystery.
In 2019, Singh’s social media presence surged as he championed the farmers’ protest and aligned himself with Deep Sidhu. His association with Sidhu catapulted him into the limelight, and his reach multiplied. But it was his controversial appointment as the leader of Waris Punjab De that truly set tongues wagging. Singh returned to Punjab in September 2022, igniting a campaign urging youth to shun drugs, embrace traditional Sikhism, and advocate for Khalistan—a sovereign Punjabi Sikh nation-state.
Indian intelligence sources allege that Singh enjoys support from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and has stockpiled arms, leading to the formation of his private militia, Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF). In March 2023, the state government, in coordination with the central government, launched a crackdown on Singh and his associates.
Arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) and held in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail since April last year, his bid for Parliament is unique. He was granted a four-day parole to attend the swearing-in under strict conditions, including a ban on public statements and activities that could risk national security.
Singh’s election has sparked varied reactions, highlighting India’s politics and voter opinions. Winning by a margin of 197,000 votes as an Independent candidate over Congress’s Kulbir Singh Zira shows his strong support base in his constituency.
Oath-taking in Lok Sabha
Security for Singh’s oath-taking was tight, showing the situation’s sensitivity. An eight-member Punjab Police team managed his transfer from Dibrugarh Central Jail to New Delhi, with extra support from Assam Police and district authorities.
#WATCH | Delhi: 'Waris Punjab De' Chief Amritpal Singh was taken from the Parliament after he took oath as a Lok Sabha MP pic.twitter.com/o5d2r15nzV
— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2024
Singh’s parole conditions have been a hot topic, with strict measures to ensure he follows the law. Restrictions on his and his family’s public communication underscore the balance between legal rules and an elected representative’s duties. The event also highlighted family support in political life. Singh’s parents, Tarsem Singh and Balwinder Kaur, and his wife Kirandeep Kaur, have been his strong supporters. Their visit after his electoral win shows the personal side of public life.
As Amritpal Singh takes his seat in the Lok Sabha, the nation watches. Will he be a force for unity or division? Only time will reveal the impact of this radical politician on India’s political landscape.
