Amritpal Singh is a radical Sikh preacher, politician, and Member of Parliament in India’s Lok Sabha, representing the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab.
Born on January 17, 1993, in Jallupur Khera, Punjab, Amritpal has been a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement, which advocates for a separate Sikh homeland.
Amritpal’s rise to prominence began during the farmers’ protest in India, where he gained popularity for his views on social issues, particularly drug addiction.
He opened a drug rehabilitation center and claimed to have helped many youths overcome addiction. However, Indian security agencies have alleged that he used these centers to recruit and indoctrinate youths into his private militia, the Anandpur Khalsa Fauj.
As the leader of Waris Punjab De, Amritpal has been accused of promoting radical views, glorifying violence, and advocating for Khalistan. He has also been linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and global Khalistan terror groups.
In March 2023, the Punjab Police launched a crackdown on Waris Punjab De, arresting 78 persons and detaining several others for questioning. Amritpal was eventually arrested on April 23, 2023, after being on the run for 35 days.
Despite his controversial views and actions, Amritpal won the Lok Sabha elections from Khadoor Sahib in June 2024, defeating his nearest competitor by a significant margin. His victory marked the largest win by votes and the widest margin in the history of the Khadoor Sahib constituency.
