“Waris Punjab De” is a Sikh socio-political organisation founded by Sandeep Singh Sidhu (better known as Deep Sidhu) in September 2021 who had played a lead role in farmers’ protest in 2020 and was booked for instigating violence in Delhi. Deep Sindhu’ died in an accident last year in February 2022. After his death, Amritpal Singh was appointed to succeed him as the leader of the organisation.
30-year-old Amritpal Singh was a truck driver in Dubai where he is said to have come in contact with Pakistan’s ISI and was radicalised to become pro-Khalistan leader. He returned to India in September 2022 and took over the reins of “Waris Punjab de”.
In the last six months, Amritpal caught lot of attention due to his imitation of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in style and appearance and his separatist radical views and hate speeches. About Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah, he is stated to have said that “Amit Shah will have the same fate as Indira Gandhi”. There are several criminal cases pending against him in the state.
Last month, in February 2023, he along with his supporters attacked and seized a police station in Punjab for release of one his supporter who was accused in a kidnaping case.
In an interview to a TV channel, the radical pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Sigh is said to have stated that “There was no Bharat, no India before 1947. It’s a union of states. We must respect the unions. We must respect the states. I don’t agree with the definition of India” which echoed Rahul Gandhi’s idea of India.
As per the latest report, Amritpal Singh is a fugitive on the run.
As for “Waris Punjab De”, Punjab Police has launched a massive state-wide Cordon And Search Operations in state against its elements against whom several criminal cases stand registered. Total 78 persons have been arrested so far, while, several others have been detained for questioning.
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