Bhai Amritpal Singh’s Stunning Electoral Victory Shatters Indian Narratives
Bhai Amritpal Singh’s Stunning Electoral Victory Shatters Indian Narratives
"The implications of these results are far-reaching, extending beyond India’s borders."
Balpreet Singh
June 4, 2024 | 3 min. read | Opinion
Today’s Lok Sabha electoral triumph of Bhai Amritpal Singh, leader of Waris Punjab De (WPD), has disrupted the long-standing Indian narrative that the dream of Khalistan finds no resonance within Punjab.
Singh’s victory, achieved despite the daunting circumstances of being arbitrarily detained in Assam’s Dibrugarh Jail under the National Security Act, speaks volumes about the undercurrents of support for Sikh sovereignty and justice in the region.
Bhai Amritpal Singh’s election as an independent Member of Parliament from the Khadoor Sahib constituency, with a record 404,430 votes, is not just a political win—it’s a clear message from the people. His closest competitor trailed by an overwhelming 197,120 votes, the largest margin of any candidate in Punjab
Singh's arrest in April 2023 followed a draconian security crackdown in Punjab, marked by the suspension of democratic rights and civil liberties, including the blocking of internet services and the mass detention of Sikh youths.
Singh’s rise to prominence is attributed to his grassroots campaign urging Punjabi youth to shun drugs and reconnect with their Sikh heritage. His candid and unwavering support for Khalistan and his vocal stance against the discrimination faced by Sikhs in India have endeared him to many.
In a similar vein, another independent candidate, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of Shaheed Beant Singh, emerged victorious in the Faridkot constituency, securing 298,062 votes by advocating for Sikh sovereignty and human rights.
The camps of both candidates have also shared that they will not celebrate their victories until after June 6, 2024, out of respect for all the shaheeds that lost their lives during the Indian invasion of the Darbar Sahib Complex in 1984.
These results, which saw the ruling BJP failing to secure a single seat in Punjab and losing its majority in the Lok Sabha, reflect a significant shift in the political landscape and a repudiation of the Indian and Hindu Nationalist establishment and their false narratives and campaigns against Sikhs.
The implications of these results are far-reaching, extending beyond India’s borders.
In the wake of the assassination of Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023, the political discourse in Canada has been notably impacted. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation in the House of Commons that India orchestrated the assassination has intensified scrutiny. Statements from Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, boasting of eliminating opponents “in their homes” even across borders, have only fueled concerns.
Danish Singh, President of the World Sikh Organization (WSO), aptly captured the essence of the moment:
“Today’s landslide election victory for Bhai Amritpal Singh has shattered the Indian narrative that Khalistan has no support within Punjab. Bhai Amritpal Singh secured the largest victory amongst all the seats in Punjab despite being detained in an Assam jail, three thousand kilometres away and not being able to campaign. These results make it clear that Khalistan has strong grassroots support in Punjab, despite people’s fear of Indian retribution for openly expressing their support. Given that India has shown no qualms in murdering Sikh activists, even in foreign countries, we request that Canada and other Western democratic countries call on India to ensure that Bhai Amritpal Singh is immediately released and no harm comes to him.”
The election results are a stark reminder of the enduring spirit and resilience of the Sikh community in Punjab. The call for Khalistan, far from being a relic of the past, is a vibrant movement fueled by Sikh history, values, and the lived experiences of discrimination and injustice in India.
The international community, especially democracies that uphold human rights and justice, must heed this call and advocate for the immediate release of Bhai Amritpal Singh and other detained activists. The voice of Punjab, clear and resolute, demands recognition.
Balpreet Singh hails from Toronto, Canada, and is the spokesperson and legal counsel for the World Sikh Organization of Canada.
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