How a Dubai-based driver became Khalistani leader and created uproar in Punjab…
Let’s start with the rise of the Khalistani movement. In 1973, a resolution called “Anandpur Sahib” was proposed, demanding a separate religious identity from Hinduism and the right to create their own constitution.
But it did not gain momentum outright, not until the 1980s. In 1982, the Akali Dal and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale united to launch the ‘Dharam Yudh Morcha’ in order to promote orthodox Sikhism.
Soon the Bhindranwale became a public figure in Punjab.
BHINDRANWALE
Although Bhindranwale was neither a supporter of Khalistan nor he was against it. In 1980, Bhindranwale and his supporters started targeting Hindus.
The violent campaign peaked in Punjab, including bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and selective killing and massacres of civilians.
The Indian government decided to act with force and killed Bhindeanwale under Operation Blue Star, but it backfired as he became a face to promote the Khalistani movement and was described as ‘Saint’.
WHO IS AMRITPAL SINGH
After nearly three decades, the Khalistani movement is once again on the rise in India after the sudden rise of Amritpal Singh.
Last year, no one knew who Amritpal Singh was; now he’s leading the “Waris Punjab De” group. He was a driver in Dubai; he used to speak for farmers during the ‘Farmer protest’, but only a few people knew him.
WARIS PANJAB DE
Founded by Deep Sidhu, he described it as an organization that would “fight for the rights of Punjab against the Central and raises voice whenever there will be any attack on the culture, language, social fabric, and rights of Punjab.”
According to Sidhu, this organization was not a supporter of Khalistan. Now, under Amitpal Singh, it’s openly demanding Khalistan.
Sidhu’s family denied appointing Amritpal as the chief of their son’s organization.
BHINDRANWALE 2.0
Amritpal’s transformation from a clean-shaven transporter in Dubai to a separatist Sikh leader with a flowing beard has been swift. He dresses like Bhindranwale, and some are already calling him Bhindranwale 2.
He says, “Why is it wrong for a Sikh to demand Khalistan if advocacy of a Hindu Rashtra is not punished?”
He claims to be an advocate of Sikhism, but he himself attacked Gurudwaras and promoted violence.
WHY DO COMMON PEOPLE FOLLOW KHALISTAN MOVEMENT
According to senior journalist Baljit Bali, Politics is all about meeting the aspirations of the people. “When it does not happen, people find ways to express themselves in one way or another.
Issues in Punjab are often ignored by the central government and even the state government. This is also the reason why many choose Canada over India.
WILL A KHALISTAN COUNTRY SURVIVE?
It’s a daydream but let’s assume – For example, Pakistan shows that a country based on certain religions and violence cannot survive for long.
Except for food, Punjab is not self-sufficient in any material that can ensure its sustainability. Punjabi agricultural products are being rejected for their pesticide content.
They would be in the same position as other landlocked countries like Nepal, which is at the mercy of either India or China.
AN OVERVIEW OF HIS LIFE STORY
Jarnail Singhbhindrawale (born in 1947 in Rode, Punjab) is a prominent Indian Sikh leader and militant. He rose to fame during the 1970s-80s in the state of Punjab in India. Bhindrawale was a follower of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sant Kartar Singh).
Bhindrawale was a leader in the 1980s who was highly controversial in India. He and his followers were demanding more autonomy for Sikhs and a separate state for them in India called “Khalistan”. His speeches and actions were often violent. In 1984, he and his followers took over the Golden Temple in India, which is considered the most sacred place in Sikhism. This led to a military operation called Operation Blue Star that resulted in the death of hundreds of Sikhs, including him. Later that year, the assassination of India’s Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, by Sikh bodyguards caused riots all over the country, resulting in the death of thousands of people. Some people see him as a brave leader who stood up for Sikh rights, while others see him as a dangerous extremist who caused unnecessary bloodshed.
