3 hours agoAuthor: Neeraj Singh
‘For 500 years our forefathers have shed their blood on this earth. There are so many people who have made sacrifices that we cannot count on our fingers. We are the claimants of this earth. Nothing can take us back from this claim. Neither Indira could remove it nor can Modi or Amit Shah remove it. Let the armies from all over the world come, we will die while dying, but will not give up our claim.
This statement is of Amritpal Singh, head of pro-Khalistan organization ‘Waris Punjab De’. Amritpal and his six accomplices were arrested by the Punjab Police on Saturday in Maihatpur area of Jalandhar. This arrest has been made in the case related to the attack on Ajnala police station.
There are 3 cases registered against Amritpal, out of which two cases are in Ajnala police station of Amritsar district. Angered by the arrest of one of his close friends, Amritpal along with his supporters attacked the Ajnala police station on 23 February. The Punjab Police was being criticized a lot for not taking any action in this case.
In Bhaskar Explainer, we will know who is the head of ‘Waris Punjab De’, Amritpal Singh? Why is it being called Bhindranwala Part-2?
Amritpal Singh was born in the year 1993 in Jallupur Kheda in Amritsar district of Punjab. After studying till 12th, in the year 2012, Amritpal went to Dubai in connection with work. He started working in the transport business in Dubai.
After the death of Deep Sidhu in February last year, Amritpal returned to Punjab to handle ‘Waris Punjab De’. On 29 September 2022, Amritpal was declared the head of ‘Waris Punjab De’ in Rode village of Moga district. Actually, Khalistani Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala was a resident of this Rode village. During this, thousands of people were present here, who raised slogans in support of Khalistan.
The ‘Waris Punjab De’ organization was formed in September 2021 by Punjabi actor Sandeep Singh aka Deep Sidhu. Deep Sidhu was the prime accused in the Red Fort riots on January 26, 2021. The aim of this organization is to bring the youth on the path of Sikhism and to wake up Punjab. There is also a dispute over one objective of this organization – the fight for the ‘freedom’ of Punjab.
Social media activity shows that Amritpal has been speaking out loud on issues related to Sikhs since last 5 years. He also became a part of the farmers’ movement against the 3 agricultural laws, especially the movement associated with Deep Sidhu.
Deep Sidhu used to say in his speeches at the Shambhu border that the agitation should not stop despite the repeal of the agricultural laws, but should lead to a major political and social change in Punjab. Amritpal Singh’s own views are also similar, but he has taken a different path from Deep Sidhu.
Another interesting point here is that Amritpal and Deep Sidhu apparently never met each other and only interacted through social media.
It is from here that Amritpal Singh gets involved in controversies. His supporters claim that Deep Sidhu was close to Amritpal Singh. That is why Amritpal Waris was most suitable to become the chief of Punjab De. Some associates of Deep Sidhu like Palwinder Singh Talwara and some family members oppose the elevation of Amritpal as chief.
Journalist Bhagat Singh Doabi claims that Sidhu even blocked Amritpal on social media. Mandeep Singh Sidhu, lawyer of Ludhiana and brother of Deep Sidhu, tells in a conversation that we have never met Amritpal before. Deep Sidhu also never met him. He kept in touch with Deep on phone for some time, but later Deep blocked him.
We do not know how he declared himself the head of my brother’s organisation. He is misusing our name to promote anti-social activities. He somehow accessed my brother’s social media accounts and started posting on them.
Mandeep says that my brother had formed this organization to raise the issues of Punjab and provide legal aid to the needy and not to propagate Khalistan. Amritpal is talking about creating unrest in Punjab. He is fooling people by taking the name of my brother and Khalistan. My brother was not a separatist.
Both these photos are of Amritpal Singh. One of them (left) during his stay in Dubai and the other after coming to Punjab.
How does Amritpal Singh talk to Punjabis?
As we have mentioned above that like Deep Sidhu, Amritpal Singh also calls for a major political and social change in Punjab. He believes that agricultural laws should not be seen in isolation from it. However, Amritpal’s words are sharper than Deep Sidhu’s. Some see Amritpal as a more controversial figure than Deep Sidhu.
Amritpal Singh says that there should be agricultural laws, water crisis in Punjab, drug crisis, migration of people from UP and Bihar to Punjab, arrest of political dissidents, weakening of Punjabi language, all these are against Sikhs. are part of the silent carnage.
You can also understand this from his statement. Amritpal participated in the protest against the liquor factory in Zira, Punjab. He had said during this time that such factories are part of the silent genocide of Punjabis, as this will increase intoxication along with contaminating the water.
Amritpal says that encouraging Sikhs to cut their hair and shave their beards to undermine Sikh values and promote pop culture is also part of the process of silent genocide.
Amritpal says that it is not necessary to kill in genocide. What if a grandson doesn’t look like his grandfather? If the progeny of a lion looks not like a lion, but like a deer, isn’t this a kind of genocide?
Amritpal says that Punjab is for Punjabis and jobs need to be reserved for locals at all levels. Amritpal’s critics say that he, like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala, can lead the youth towards militancy with his speech and lead them on a path where the youth can be arrested or killed. He talks about anti-Hindu.
On such allegations, Amritpal Singh answers whether Guru Gobind Singh did not sacrifice his sons? What if they too had thought about the consequences? What would have happened to the Sikhs then? Amritpal says, ‘I do not want anyone to die, but if someone’s son gives his life for a Sikh, he becomes the son of the Guru.’
Several political parties have accused Amritpal of trying to destabilize Punjab. At the same time, some of his critics say that he is increasing the division between Sikhs and other communities, especially Hindus. In his public rallies, he also talks about the exodus of Hindus from UP and Bihar and Gujjar Muslims from Jammu.
Amritpal has also threatened Home Minister Amit Shah
Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh has also threatened Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Amritpal had said last month in Budhsingh Wala village of Moga district of Punjab that Indira had also tried to suppress, what happened? Now Amit Shah will fulfill his wish and see. Amritpal came on the death anniversary of Punjabi singer Deep Sidhu.
Actually, Amit Shah had said a few days ago that we are keeping an eye on Khalistan supporters in Punjab. Amritpal was questioned about Shah’s statement. On this, Amritpal said that tell Shah that every child of Punjab talks about Khalistan. Do whatever you want to do. We are asking for our rule, not someone else’s.
cashing in on the anger of the youth
The sudden death of Deep Sidhu and the murder of Sidhu Musewala have hurt a large section of the youth of Punjab. However, both had a different opinion on issues related to Punjab and Sikhs. In such a situation, the youth of Punjab lacked a role model and Amritpal Singh is trying to fill that void for a section of Sikh youth.
Amritpal came into limelight due to his speech style. In his speech he speaks openly in support of Khalistan. Not only this, he is associating the youth of Punjab with his claims of freeing them from the trap of drugs. He appeals that Punjab is for Punjabis and is also raising the issue of demanding reservation in jobs, as unemployment is a major issue in the state.
A common refrain among his young supporters is that at least someone is doing something. This is the reason why some people are comparing Amritpal with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala also used to do something similar in the 1970s. He used to travel across Punjab campaigning against pornography, drug addicts and consumerism. He was also promoted like this earlier.
Being a supporter of Khalistan, Amritpal Singh is also being called Bhindranwala Part-2. Amritpal wears a blue turban like Bhindranwala. Last year on September 29, a program was organized on the first anniversary of ‘Waris Punjab De’ in Rode village of Moga district. Actually, this is the ancestral village of Bhindranwala.
Amritpal says, Bhindranwala is my inspiration. I will follow the path shown by him. I want to be like him because that is what every Sikh wants. I want freedom of religion. Every drop of my blood is dedicated to this. In the past, our war started from this village. The future war will also start from this village.
We are all still slaves. We have to fight for our freedom. Our water is being looted. Our Guru is being insulted. Every youth of Punjab should be ready to lay down his life for the cult.
Amritpal wears a blue turban like Bhindranwala.
Who was Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala, whom Amritpal calls his inspiration?
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala was a staunch supporter of the Anand Sahib resolution. Bhindranwala, who started his journey as a ragi, later took up arms. Well-known Sikh journalist Khushwant Singh said that Bhindranwala used to incite every Sikh to kill 32 Hindus. He said that this would solve the problem of Sikhs forever.
In 1982, Bhindranwala joined hands with the Shiromani Akali Dal and started the Non-Cooperation Movement. This non-cooperation movement later turned into an armed rebellion. During this, anyone who opposed Bhindranwala came on his hit list.
Because of this, Khalistan terrorists killed the founder and editor of Punjab Kesari, Lala Jagat Narayan. The terrorists didn’t spare even the hawker who sells newspapers. Sanjay Gandhi, the son of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, is said to have supported Bhindranwala to counter the growing political influence of the Akali Dal at that time.
After this, Bhindranwala entered the Golden Temple to escape from the security forces. The government did not take any step for two years. Meanwhile, Bhindranwala occupied the Akal Takht built in the Golden Temple complex.
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala with his supporters.
Other options were discussed earlier. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi almost sanctioned a secret ‘snatch and grab’ operation to capture Bhindranwala. 200 commandos were also trained for this operation.
When Indira Gandhi asked how much damage could be caused to the common people during this period, she did not get any answer. After this Operation Sundown was called off. After this the government decided to send the army.
The decision is said to have been taken on June 5 after threats to kill all Congress (I) MPs and MLAs and plans to launch mass killings of Hindus in villages were revealed.
The first phase of the operation was launched on 5 June 1984 at 10:30 pm. A further attack was launched on the buildings inside the Golden Temple complex. During this, Khalistani terrorists also fired a lot on the army.
By 7 June, the Indian Army took control of the compound. Operation Bluestar ended at noon on 10 June 1984. During this entire operation, 83 army personnel were martyred and 249 were injured. According to the government, 493 terrorists and civilians were killed in the attack. However, several Sikh organizations claim that at least 3,000 people were killed during the operation.
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