Bhai Amritpal Singh: Messages to the Kaum (Sikh Nation) as he evades capture

UPDATE: Bhai Amritpal Singh has handed himself in.

Bhai Amritpal Singh is a Sikh community leader that heads Waris Punjab De, a social reform group that focus on tackling Punjab’s addiction epidemic. On 18th March he was the main target of a mass police and paramilitary operation in Punjab targeting Sikh critics of the Indian State. Having evaded capture, which would have certainly meant torture, see messages he has sent to the Sikh nation below.

29th March 2023: A speech from Bhai Amritpal Singh (in Punjabi) below, released as he remains a fugitive, shared via Akaal Channel. An English translation can be found via Baaz News below.

30th March 2023: An audio message circulated within panthic (Sikh community/path based) circles, with translations via Saffron Studios below.

The Khalsa belongs to God. Victory belongs to God.

Firstly to those people that are saying the police made the video and that I do not speak like this – even in the past when I’ve made my own videos I tend not to look directly at the camera and that never became a trait of mine. Secondly that day my health was not great but it’s not an issue and let the Sangat know that I am in Chardi Kala (high spirits).

I have not asked for any demands regarding the conditions of my arrest, these are all gossip and rumours. I have not spoken about my arrest with anyone nor have I set any conditions. I have asked the Jathedar to call a Sarbat Khalsa. Please call a Sarbat Khalsa to affirm your position as the Akal Takht Jathedar. If we are still going to continue our previous political affirmations then what are we going to do with this position of Jathedar? So we need to understand that we need to stand together as one. I am asking all Sikh groups to stand together and we need to prove that we are still alive as a Panth. Today the authorities are oppressing one group of people tomorrow it could be anyone.

I am not scared of being arrested or going into police custody, they can do whatever. So please send this message to the Sangat. People start to think who made this and it’s a conspiracy. There is no conspiracy in these messages we’re not using the equipment we used to before at this current moment so there’s also that difference.

Yes, my health has slightly deteriorated there is no doubt, because food intake has reduced. Please let the Sangat know that we do not need to put doubt on everything.

God has blessed us so much and we are in Chardi Kala.

The Khalsa belongs to God. Victory belongs to God.

30th March 2023: A video message following the audio message, shared with translations via Sikh Youth UK.