Separatist strains resurface in Punjab

Amritpal Singh, a 29-year-old Sikh preacher who dresses like slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and draws “inspiration” from him, has created an atmosphere of disquiet by raising the bogey of Khalistan, a separate state for Sikhs. His claims of not being averse to violence are taking centre stage in the State’s politics, with the Opposition parties cornering the Aam Aadmi Party government over his growing popularity. The hard-line leader’s rise comes amid a crackdown on pro-Khalistan elements within and outside the country, reports Vikas Vasudeva

On a sunny winter morning in December, a few hundred people have gathered at the playground of a government school in Dhunda village in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district. After camping overnight at the place, they are eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of 29-year-old self-styled Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh. Their wait ends at noon, when the chief of the radical outfit, Waris Punjab De, emerges from his caravan clad in a white robe and a navy blue turban. With a sword-sized kirpan (sacred dagger) at his side and gun-toting guards closely following him, Mr. Amritpal proceeds towards a cot laid out for him as supporters and followers rush to seek his blessings.

A staunch proponent of Khalistan (a separate state for Sikhs), the preacher is leading a month-long religious procession, Khalsa Vaheer, which began from Akal Takht Sahib — the highest Sikh temporal seat — at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar on November 23. Aimed at encouraging the youth to become baptised Sikhs and shun drugs, the procession — slated to cover the entire State — is also spreading the message of eradicating social evils such as dowry and casteism.

Mr. Amritpal, who dresses like slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale — one of the leading figures of the Sikh separatist movement in the 1980s — and draws “inspiration” from him, has created an atmosphere of disquiet by raising the bogey of Khalistan. His claims of not being averse to violence are taking centre stage in the State’s politics, with the Opposition parties cornering the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over his growing popularity. The hard-line leader’s rise comes amid a crackdown on pro-Khalistan elements within and outside the country by law enforcement agencies.

Mr. Amritpal was in Dubai for over 10 years and was associated with his family’s transport business. Earlier this year, he returned to Punjab and was appointed the head of Waris Punjab De on September 29.

The organisation was set up in September 2021 “to protect the rights of Punjab and raise social issues” by actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu, who had participated in the year-long farmers’ protest against the three now-withdrawn farm laws and died in a road accident on February 15 this year.

Former Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Captain Amarinder Singh has blamed the AAP government for giving Mr. Amritpal a free run. He says the preacher has been propagating violence and speaking the language of separatism. “How can you let someone like him go scot-free? He has been making statements against the unity and integrity of the country and exhorting the youth to take up weapons.”

State Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring has written to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav expressing “growing concern among people over what he [Amritpal] says and does”. Seeking a strict vigil on Mr. Amritpal’s activities, Mr. Warring says “Punjab cannot afford yet another era of violence and bloodshed”, alluding to the era of militancy in the State from the mid-1980s to early 1990s over the demand for Khalistan. He says the party does not have a problem with the propagation of religion, but “instigating people to violence is unacceptable”.