Separatist Amritpal Singh Gives Sharp Response After Mother's 'Not Khalistani Supporter' Claim

Chandigarh: A day after Balwinder Kaur, the mother of jailed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh who took oath as a member of Parliament on Friday, said her son was not a Khalistani supporter, Amritpal refuted her claims. Amritpal's mother had demanded that he be released immediately so that he could work on the issues, on which he fought the elections.

Reacting sharply and pitching for the demand of Khalistan, Singh, on Saturday, wrote on X, "Today when I learnt about the statement made by my Mataji, I was deeply hurt. Even though I believe Mata Ji spoke unknowingly, such a statement should never come from my family or anyone who supports me."

He added, "Dreaming of a Khalsa Raj is not a crime, it is a matter of pride. We cannot even dream of backing down from the path, for which millions of Sikhs have sacrificed their lives."

He further wrote, “I have often declared that if ever faced with choosing between the Panth and my family, I will always choose the Panth without hesitation. The historical example of Baba Banda Singh Bahadar’s young companion stands as a testament to this principle. When the mother tried to save her son by denying his Sikh identity, the boy bravely proclaimed that if she claimed I am not a Sikh, then she was not my mother. Though this example may seem harsh for this situation, it profoundly captures the essence of unwavering commitment.”

Meanwhile, celebrations broke out in Singh's native village Jallupur Khera in Amritsar and the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency where people distributed sweets after he was administered oath. Singh and Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who were granted parole to take oath as members of the Lok Sabha, were sworn in as MPs amid heavy security in and around the Parliament complex. 

They took oath in the chamber of the Lok Sabha speaker after completing formalities and were brought to the Parliament complex by security personnel this morning. 

Singh is lodged in a prison in Assam's Dibrugarh district for offences under the National Security Act. He was flown from Assam to Delhi on a four-day custody parole, for taking oath. Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, Singh's mother Kaur thanked God and said the 'Sangat' (community) was happy and celebrating after he had administered the oath. 

"We demand that he be released immediately so that he can thank supporters and work on the issues based on which elections were won," said Kaur at her residence. She said her son's supporters kept asking when he would come out of the jail. "We urge the government that he should be released immediately," she said. 

Replying to a question, she said people voted for him with expectations that he would work for their welfare. "The main issues on which elections were fought were drug menace and release of 'Bandi Singhs'," she said. 

"He is innocent, weaning away youths from drugs is not wrong," she added. To another question, Kaur asserted "He is not a Khalistani supporter. By speaking about Punjab's rights and saving Punjab's youth (from drugs), can anyone become a supporter of Khalistan?" "He fought elections within the ambit of the Constitution and took oath. One should not say such a thing. He will raise Punjab's issues and will save youth (from drugs)," she said. 

She lamented that her son was not administered oath along with other members. To another question, she said she would soon meet her son. Having fought the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an independent, Singh won the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat defeating Congress candidate Kulbir Singh Zira. 

He won by a margin of 1,97,120 votes. Singh, who heads the "Waris Punjab De" outfit and styled himself after slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was jailed along with nine of his associates under the National Security Act. 

He was arrested in Moga's Rode village after he and his supporters on February 23 allegedly barged into the Ajnala police station breaking barricades, brandishing swords and guns, and clashed with police personnel in an attempt to free one of his aides from custody. (with PTI inputs)