Amritpal Singh, a 31-year-old Sikh separatist leader, is contesting India’s general election from a high-security prison in Assam, almost 3,000 km (1,865 miles) away from his Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab. His campaign managers report that Singh is gaining significant support, raising concerns in New Delhi about the potential revival of Sikh militancy.
Singh was arrested last year under stringent security laws after leading an armed assault on a police station, demanding the release of one of his aides. Despite his incarceration, his campaign has resonated with many in Punjab, where posters of him wielding swords and wearing bullet-proof vests are common.
A victory in the parliamentary election could legitimize Singh and fuel fears of a resurgence of the militancy that plagued Punjab in the 1970s and 1980s, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths.
“People will make their decision on June 1,” said Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, 61, referring to the upcoming vote. “They will send an important message to those who have maligned his image, to those who are defaming our community and our Punjab.”
Tarsem Singh spoke from a Sikh temple adorned with portraits of those considered martyrs by Singh’s supporters, reflecting the deep-seated sentiments of the community. Although Sikhs make up a majority in Punjab, they represent only 2% of India’s 1.4 billion population. The separatist movement, which began in the 1970s, was largely quashed by the early 1990s through severe crackdowns.
The issue of Sikh separatism has recently gained international attention, with Canada and the United States accusing India of involvement in assassination plots against Sikhs abroad—allegations New Delhi has denied.
In a 2023 interview, Singh reiterated his goal of establishing a separate Sikh homeland for the people of Punjab, where Sikhism originated over 500 years ago. However, his current campaign focuses on addressing Punjab’s drug crisis, advocating for the release of former Sikh militants, and protecting Sikh identity within Hindu-majority India. His father and aides avoid discussing the separatist agenda publicly.
“There is a tsunami in the name of Amritpal Singh, anyone who stands against him will be swept off,” asserted Imaan Singh Khara, 27, Singh’s lawyer.
Community leaders urged Singh to run from Khadoor Sahib, a significant Sikh historical site near the Pakistan border, despite his initial reluctance. Indian law permits undertrials to participate in elections.
Singh is running as an independent candidate against rivals from major parties, including the Congress party, the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Aam Aadmi Party, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While some believe Singh’s support is strong, his chances of winning remain uncertain. BJP candidate Manjit Singh Manna remarked, “People have seen the militancy days, they don’t want those days to return.”
Analysts caution that while the demand for a separate Sikh nation has more backing abroad, a surge in support for Singh could energize extremist politics at a time when mainstream parties are preoccupied with internal conflicts.
“Once you weaken the moderates, people get articulation through these fringe radicals, which is a danger signal,” warned Pramod Kumar, chairperson of the Institute for Development and Communication in Chandigarh. “Amritpal may win, in a four-cornered contest he may win.”
