“If Amritpal Singh is a terrorist, the entire Khalsa panth are terrorists”- Akal Takht Jathedar speaks out

The head of the highest seat of authority in the Sikh nation this week stated that if political prisoner Bhai Amritpal Singh is a terrorist, “the entire Khalsa panth (initiated Sikh community) are terrorists”.

During Holla Mohalla celebrations at holy Sikh site Anandpur Sahib, Akal Takht Jathedar (head) Raghbir Singh addressed sangat (Sikh congregation) on Tuesday (26/03/2024) regarding India’s ongoing imprisonment of the Waris Punjab De members, saying if the “Sikh youth lodged in Dibrugarh jail of Assam are terrorists, the entire Khalsa Panth are terrorists.”

The Jathedar was referring to the Indian government’s move to reinvoke the much criticised National Security Act (NSA) against Bhai Amritpal Singh and the nine other members of the WPD social reform group, all of whom are imprisoned in Dibrugarh jail in Assam, 1000km+ away from Punjab.

Speaking on the matter, the Jathedar further said:

“What is the fault of the youth sent to Dibrugarh jail after being labelled as terrorists and charged with NSA? It’s that they had in an emotional state picked up weapons for their rights and religion. If they are terrorists, the entire Khalsa Panth is terrorist.”

The NSA was first invoked against the group when they were arrested in April 2023, allowing authorities to detain the group for 12 months without charge. They were therefore due for release in April 2024. The Singhs (Sikh men) and their families began hunger strikes in February 2024 pushing for a move to a Punjab based prison, after discovering that the prison authorities were caught planting cameras in the bathrooms of the Singh’s shared cell. The group have also complained of tainted food, sometimes poisoned or mixed with tobacco, which is forbidden for Khalsa (initiated Sikhs). At a Panthic (Sikh community/path focused) Ikath (gathering) on 17th March, a hukum (command) from the Akal Takht ordered the Singhs to end their hunger strike, after serious deterioration in the health of the group. Their incarceration under the NSA has been extended for at least three months.

The Jathedar continued on to say that “Amritpal Singh and others tried to rescue Punjab’s youth from drugs, spread the message of Sikhi and preach religion. If preaching religion is a sin or crime, then I say every Sikh will commit this crime. Every Sikh should become a preacher.” He added that the Sikh community was facing danger academically, financially, socially, culturally, and geographically, referencing a cultural genocide ongoing in Punjab, with local groups highlighting efforts to stop the Punjabi language being spoken, attempts to takeover farmland, a state facilitated drug epidemic and more as examples of the issue.

Bhai Amritpal Singh, as head of the WPD group, became a target of the Indian State by challenging such issues whilst advocating for Khalistan (free Sikh homeland movement), leading to him being at the centre of the biggest manhunt in history in 2023, until he eventually handed himself in to authorities. An incident which saw Bhai Amritpal Singh lead a group in freeing Sikh men unjustly detained in a police station where torture was being reported has been cited as the official crime of him and the WPD team. The man hunt against him saw Punjab shutdown, with internet and phone networks cut, amid one of the biggest military operations in Punjab in recent years, leading to the period being labelled #PunjabUnderSiege. Since then, Bhai Amritpal Singh’s wife has also been prevented from leaving India, despite being a British passport holder.

Jathedar Raghbir Singh asked people to question politicians about the “faults farmers and Sikh prisoners (Bandi Singhs) have committed”, before further asking, “is it written in any law that someone can be imprisoned for 30 years, even after suffering double punishments? Sikh prisoners are still languishing in jails while the governments turn a blind eye.”

There are an unverified number of Sikh political prisoners currently arbitrarily imprisoned by the Indian government, such as Professor Devinderpal Singh Bhullar.

The Jathedar finished his statement by calling Sikhs to follow the example of Bhai Amritpal Singh in the face of the current challenges faced by the community, saying:

“The challenges we are facing internally and externally can only be overcome if we unite as a community, preserve our religion, society, traditions and Punjabiyat (Punjabi culture).”

Meanwhile, global demonstrations in support of the plight of Bhai Amritpal Singh and the WPD team continue, such as a protest outside the Birmingham (UK) Indian High Commission. See images- https://www.instagram.com/p/C5EkuagsUgL/?igsh=MW5zNzl1YmVkZGxzYQ==