For the past week, the vicinity surrounding the revered Golden Temple in Amritsar has been engulfed in protest fervor as demonstrators demand the release of Amritpal Singh, a known advocate for the Khalistan separatist movement. Roads leading to the temple have been barricaded, disrupting regular traffic flow, as protesters rally for the release of the controversial figure.
Amritpal Singh Sandhu, born on January 17, 1993, has long been associated with radical pro-Khalistan sentiments & terrorism. Following a stint in Dubai, he returned to Punjab in September 2022, assuming leadership of “Waris Punjab De” (translated as “Heirs of Punjab”). His campaign urged youth to eschew drugs, embrace traditional Sikhism, and champion the cause of Khalistan, a sovereign Separate Sikh state from India.
Indian intelligence sources have alleged Sandhu’s ties with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and his involvement in arming a private militia known as the Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF). In response to these allegations, a crackdown was launched by both state and central authorities in March 2023, culminating in Sandhu’s arrest on April 23, 2023, on charges including attempted murder.
However, despite his arrest, the echoes of Sandhu’s advocacy continue to reverberate. The recent protests near the Golden Temple underscore a simmering discontent, with demonstrators questioning the Punjab AAP government’s stance on the matter. Criticism has been levied against the government for its perceived inaction in quelling the protests and addressing the underlying sentiments driving them.
The protest’s blockade of routes near the Golden Temple not only inconveniences locals and visitors but also raises pertinent questions about the ideological stance of the AAP government. By failing to take decisive action, the government risks tacitly legitimizing the demands of a movement that advocates for the secession of Punjab from India.
The backdrop against which these protests unfold cannot be divorced from the historical context of the Khalistan terrorsim and its implications. The violent events of 1984, marked by the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and subsequent anti-Sikh riots, continue to cast a long shadow over Punjab’s socio-political landscape.
Amidst these developments, concerns persist regarding the resurgence of Khalistan terrorism in Punjab. While Sandhu’s arrest was seen as a significant blow to the movement, his continued influence and the ongoing protests near the Golden Temple highlight the enduring appeal of Khalistan ideology.
As tensions persist near the Golden Temple and calls for Amritpal Singh’s release intensify, the AAP government faces mounting pressure to address the grievances fueling the protests. The outcome of this standoff may not only shape the trajectory of Punjab’s internal dynamics but also have broader implications for India’s national unity and security.