March 22, 2023
Amritpal Singh, the leader of Waris Punjab De, frequently emphasizes the notion that the Sikh community has become subservient. The current post is conducted in Punjab, a state in northern India, with consideration for the prevailing political circumstances as discussed in my previous post about Operation Blue Star. Bhai Amritpal Singh, a 29-year-old who recently returned from Dubai, entered Punjab's religious and political arena abruptly, assuming control of the organization 'Waris Punjab De' that Deep Sidhu had established (the actor turned activist was murdered in a reported accident in February 2022). On September 29, 2022, Bhai Amritpal Singh was appointed the leader of the political group "Waris Punjab De." His arrival in Punjab took many people by surprise, resulting in a significant discrepancy between the attitudes of the local populace in Punjab and those of the state and federal governments.
Current Sikh leader Bhai Amritpal Singh Khalsa
In August 2022, Amritpal Singh, a prominent Punjabi social activist, returned to India after residing in Dubai for a decade. His arrival came six months after the Sikh community mourned the loss of a potential leader who could represent them and advocate for justice at the international level. On September 23, Amritpal made headlines when he encouraged many individuals in Punjab to join him in visiting Anandpur Sahib, an important location where the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, once resided and created the sacred nectar known as "Amrit." This nectar is used in the Sikh baptism ceremony, and Amritpal's call for Sikhs to consume it and reconnect with their roots garnered attention, as many had lost sight of this tradition. It is important to note the significance of the visit to Anandpur Sahib in understanding the context of Amritpal's message.
Amritpal Singh Sandhu chose to assume leadership of the Waris Punjab de organization, founded by Deep Sidhu, despite his non-affiliation with any political party. Sandhu subscribes to the teachings of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, and his turban-tying ceremony was held in Rode village in Moga district, which is Bhindranwale's ancestral home. Sandhu stated in media interviews that Bhindranwale is a source of inspiration, and despite the negative portrayal by the state, he remains a hero to many. Sandhu urges caution in comparing himself to Bhindranwale, as such an act would be disrespectful to the late leader. Local media have drawn similarities between Sandhu's traditional attire and demeanor and those of Bhindranwale, but Sandhu requested the public to refrain from doing so.
Subsequently, Amritpal Singh Sandhu faced a barrage of criticism from various quarters. He alleges that Christian leaders threatened to take legal action against him for defamation when he expressed concerns about the conversion rate in the state. Harjit Singh, the brother of Bhindranwale, distanced himself from Sandhu's confrontational statements. Additionally, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the head of the Punjab Congress, wrote a letter on October 7 to the state's director general of police, expressing concern that Sandhu's comments had the potential to mislead impressionable young people.
A comprehensive understanding of the current political situation in Punjab would be incomplete without acknowledging the role of the Shiv Sena, a political party rooted in Maharashtra. This group has gained notoriety for disrupting peace in Punjab by inciting hostility through online social media platforms. While Sikhs do not necessarily advocate for Khalistan, they do seek a degree of autonomy to uphold their ideology and promote it to future generations. However, the Shiv Sena promotes the mafia and narcotics trade in Punjab and has been known to instigate violent confrontations with Sikh hardliners, often leading to individuals going missing.
The Shiv Sena's tactics aim to create a Hindu-Sikh divide and garner sympathy from Punjabi Hindus by provoking the Sikh community. They employ specific strategies and recurring patterns to achieve this goal. One such strategy involves organizing rallies annually, just before the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, where they demand the execution of political prisoners who supported the Khalistan movement. This approach capitalizes on the emotional significance of 1984 for Sikhs. Additionally, Shiv Sena leaders have been known to stage phony attacks on themselves, with a few resulting in arrests. One such incident involved a Shiv Sena leader who claimed he was shot at but later admitted to injuring himself with an iron rod, with the assistance of a police constable who had previously served as his personal security detail, after a medical and forensic investigation revealed no evidence of gunshot residue or burns on his skin.
The political climate in Punjab is becoming increasingly tense as citizens rally behind Bhai Amritpal Singh, while the government and other political parties strive to undermine him using various means. Although three decades have passed since the genocide, India has a rare chance to acknowledge its wrongdoings, seek forgiveness, and work toward reconciliation while the survivors of the atrocities are still alive. Punjab appears to be experiencing a recurrence of history, but with the added challenge of increased education and globalization, the Indian government is finding it increasingly challenging to manage the population, as demonstrated by the current political situation in Punjab.
Lovepreet Sandhawalia