On 29 September 2021, Sandeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Deep Sidhu, announced the formation of Waris Punjab De, as “a Pressure group to protect and fight for rights of Punjab and raise social issues”.[3][6][7] The organization played a role in the 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest under the leadership of its founder.[7] During the protests, Amritpal Singh joined Waris Punjab De, founded by actor and activist Sidhu to mobilise farmers.[8]
Tenure of Amritpal Singh
Photograph of Amritpal Singh Sandhu
Amritpal Singh took over as leader of the organization after the death of its founder in an automobile accident. It is rumoured that Deep Sidhu and Amritpal Singh had never actually met in real life and only interacted over social media.[9] The family of Deep Sidhu have questioned Singh's claim to leadership.[10] After the coming of leadership of Amritpal Singh, the mission of the organization has shifted towards the aims of “follow the tenets of Sikhism” and “establish Khalsa Raj”.[11] The organization supported the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) in the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election.[12] It launched a movement to promote Sikhs to undergo the Amrit Sanskar initiation ceremony into the Khalsa order, condemned drug usage and addiction, casteist and misogynistic beliefs and practices (such as dowry), through tours throughout the state of Punjab in November 2022.[13] On 23 February 2023, clashes between supporters of the group and police broke out in Ajnala, Punjab.[14] The group was criticized for carrying a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs, during the clashes, with some arguing that it was used as a "shield".[15] The body has been accused of being funded by the Pakistani ISI.[16]
On 18 March 2023, Indian authorities launched a manhunt for Singh after he was accused by police of attempted murder, obstruction of law enforcement and creating "disharmony" in society.[17] During the manhunt, Indian authorities deployed thousands of paramilitary police and restricted Internet and mobile messaging services for nearly 30 million people across the Punjab state.[17]
Indian authorities also arrested more than 200 people while conducting a massive manhunt.[18][19][20] Meanwhile, Singh was nowhere to be found.[21] After more than a month, on 23 April 2023, Singh was arrested from Rode village in Moga district, Punjab. Later, he was taken to the high-security Dibrugarh jail in Assam state.[22]
