5 June 2024: Amritpal Singh, a prominent Khalistani separatist currently imprisoned under the National Security Act (NSA), has secured a decisive victory in the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Punjab. Running as an Independent candidate, Singh defeated Congress’ Kulbir Singh Zira by over 1.5 lakh votes, as reported by the Election Commission.
Singh, the chief of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ organization, has been held in Dibrugarh jail in Assam. His electoral campaign gained traction due to his outspoken anti-drug initiatives and his advocacy for a separate state, which resonated with a significant portion of the electorate. Drawing inspiration from Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, an extremist figure killed in Operation Bluestar in 1984, Singh’s supporters view his campaign as a continuation of their struggle.
In a related development, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the elder son of Beant Singh – one of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassins – won from the Faridkot constituency. Khalsa, who has unsuccessfully contested elections thrice before, has garnered sympathy by highlighting his lost youth due to his father’s execution.
Amritpal Singh’s rise to prominence and subsequent electoral success are seen by some experts as symptomatic of broader socio-economic issues in Punjab. His anti-drug stance and call for a separate state address deep-rooted grievances that many feel have been neglected.
In April 2023, a massive manhunt for Singh led to the arrest of 300 youths, many of whom were simply associated with him and had not committed any crimes. This crackdown has further fueled the narrative of state repression among his supporters.
The election results in Punjab reflect a complex political landscape where historical grievances and contemporary socio-economic challenges influence voter behavior and political outcomes. Singh’s victory underscores the need for addressing these underlying issues to foster stability and progress in the region.
