Punjab witnessed a seismic shift in its political landscape as two pro-Khalistan candidates, despite facing formidable odds, emerged victorious with resounding mandates. Jailed Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, currently incarcerated in Assam's Dibrugarh jail, and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, son of the late Beant Singh, one of the assassins of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, clinched impressive wins in Khadoor Sahib and Faridkot constituencies, respectively.
Amritpal Singh's triumph in the Khadoor Sahib constituency, where he faced off against established political heavyweights, including Congress' former MLA Kulbir Singh Zira and AAP's Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite his confinement, he secured an unprecedented victory margin of 1.97 lakh (1,97,120) votes, signaling a groundswell of support for his panthic agenda and highlighting the electorate's demand for decisive action on pressing issues.
Similarly, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa's victory in Faridkot, a constituency marred by past sacrilege incidents, reverberates as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the Sikh panth. His impressive winning margin of 70,053 votes underscores the resonance of his family's legacy and their enduring sacrifices.
Both candidates, running as independents, tapped into the deep-seated frustrations of Punjab's populace, who have grown weary of empty promises and traditional politics. Be it rampant drug crisis or unresolved sacrilege cases to contentious riparian rights and unresolved grievances from the turbulent militancy era, the people of Punjab have grown weary of empty promises, and traditional politicians. The decisive shift in the electorate reflected a demand for meaningful action and lasting solutions to their enduring problems.
The long pending issues like justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots remain elusive with wounds from that tragic period still persisting, fueling discontent. Besides, several Sikh political prisoners, Bandi Singhs, have spent over three decades in jail and their release is a matter of concern for many — leading to protests and agitations.
Moreover, an extensive manhunt launched by the AAP Government for Amritpal Singh in March and April 2023 led to the arrest or detention of over 300 Sikh youths, with many of them having minimal involvement with him and committed no crimes. The perceived injustice during this operation has left simmering anger in villages evoking the memories of the dark days of the 1980s.
Their victories transcend mere electoral triumphs; they symbolize a paradigm shift in Punjab's political consciousness, reflecting a yearning for meaningful change and redressal of long-standing grievances.
The electoral success of Amritpal Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa not only reshapes Punjab's political dynamics but also sends ripples across the nation, sparking conversations about the resurgence of panthic sentiment and the need for inclusive governance. As Punjab grapples with complex challenges, their victories serve as a clarion call for unity and decisive action to address the state's pressing issues.
Even as Amritpal stayed behind bars, his family with the help of Paramjit Kaur Khalra — the wife of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra who was abducted and ‘forcefully disappeared’ by the Punjab Police in 1995 — handled the entire campaign for him. Khalra oversaw all campaign activities as Amritpal’s campaign in charge. Together, they ensured that Amritpal’s political presence remained strong and effective despite his absence.
Amritpal gained prominence through his anti-drug crusade and advocacy for a separate state. In these elections, voters emphasized his anti-drug stance over separatist rhetoric. In fact, his family and friends strategically avoided mentioning ‘Khalistan’ during the campaign. Meanwhile, the ongoing drug crisis in Punjab drove voters away from traditional parties, resulting in votes for alternative candidates.
Just over a year ago, Amritpal found himself at the center of a high-stakes pursuit, labeled a “wanted fugitive” by the AAP Government. In a dramatic turn of events, after an intensive month-long manhunt, he was apprehended in Moga's Rode village on April 23. Facing a slew of serious charges including incitement to violence, attempted murder, and obstruction of justice, he was swiftly transferred to Dibrugarh jail in Assam, along with his associates.
On the other hand, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa’s compelling narrative struck a chord with voters, resonating deeply with Punjab's electorate. His family's storied sacrifices for the Sikh panth, particularly in the aftermath of Operation Bluestar, elicited profound sympathy and admiration. SAD and SGPC’s focus on the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar coinciding with the polling date, June 1, further boosted Sarabjit’s appeal.
In his campaigns, Khalsa talked about his family’s sacrifices for the community, his youth without his father. He also questioned lack of action in the 2015 sacrilege incidents, issue of ‘Bandi Singhs’ (Sikh prisoners who completed their jail terms), drug menace, river water sharing, and farmers’ demand for legal guarantee to minimum support price.
It was not for the first time Sarabjeet was entering the electoral fray. Having earlier contested elections thrice, 2024 Lok Sabha election was Sarabjeet’s first electoral success, that too as an independent.
Sarabjeet had earlier contested from the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat in 2004 on a Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) ticket when it was a reserved constituency and had bagged over a lakh votes. In 2007, he contested from the Bhadaur assembly constituency on a SAD (Amritsar) ticket but lost. In 2014, he contested from the Fatehgarh Sahib Lok Sabha seat, this time on a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket, only to lose again.
Notably, his mother Bimal Kaur Khalsa and grandfather Sucha Singh Khalsa were also elected MPs from Ropar and Bathinda Lok Sabha seats on SAD (Amritsar) tickets in 1989.
On October 31, 1984, a pivotal moment unfolded in Sarabjeet's family history, as his father, Beant Singh, alongside another security guard, Satwant Singh, were involved in the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This incident occurred against the backdrop of Operation Bluestar, a military operation aimed at rooting out Khalistani militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The repercussions of this event rippled through Punjab's socio-political landscape, shaping the trajectory of Sarabjeet's journey and imbuing it with a profound sense of historical significance.
