Pro-Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh, Indira Gandhi assassin’s son lead in Punjab: 5 reasons why

The Lok Sabha elections in Punjab are likely to throw up two Independent winners, causing much consternation because of their so-called radical ideology.

Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh who is currently in jail in Dibrugarh under the National Security Act (NSA) and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa who is the elder son of Beant Singh, one of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassins, are leading in Khadoor Sahib and Faridkot respectively. As of 1.20 pm, while Amritpal is leading by over 1.2 lakh votes, Sarabjeet’s lead is more than 58,00 votes

While it may be tempting to see a return of hardline politics in their strong performance, the reasons are much more nuanced.

1. Unresolved issues in Punjab

Punjab is faced with numerous unresolved issues, including the division of river waters per the SYL accord, justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom, and the release of Sikh political prisoners who have served over 30 years in jail. These persistent issues foster discontent and periodically lead to agitations or the emergence of self-proclaimed leaders rallying people for justice.

2. Overkill during the hunt for Amritpal

The extensive manhunt for Amritpal Singh in March and April 2023 led to the arrest or detention of over 300 youngsters, many of whom had merely interacted with him and committed no crimes. Although many were later released, there is simmering anger in the villages about the perceived injustice. Additionally, the week-long internet shutdown during the manhunt, seen as draconian, reminded many of the dark days of the 1980s. As a businessman from Ferozepur remarked, “It reminded us of the dark days of Punjab, the 1980s.”

3. Economic distress

Well-known economist Dr Lakhwinder Singh highlighted the economic