In Gurdwara Sant Khalsa, Amritpal Singh's Bhindranwale link

BATHINDA: When he first appeared at Gurdwara Sant Khalsa at Rode village in Moga district on September 29, 2022, Amritpal Singh was barely a name in Punjab.

But, by the time he was arrested outside the same gurdwara on Sunday morning, the 'Waris Punjab De' chief had become Punjab Police's most wanted, with operations to nab him spanning several states and even international borders.

The symbolism of the gurdwara being associated with militant leader late Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was not lost on those aware of Punjab's tumultuous history. Before he was arrested, Amritpal bowed to a life-size portrait of Bhindrawale at the gurdwara.

During his short public life, Amritpal dressed and behaved like Bhindrawale too, even though he would refute talk of him imitating the slain radical. Leaders of a number of Sikh organisations attended the event where Amritpal took over Waris Punjab De at Gurdwara Sant Khalsa on September 29, 2022. His speech had communal undertones, as he claimed that Sikhs were still slaves and needed to take up arms to gain an independent identity.

His address was taken seriously by central and state agencies, but not much was done to annoy him. As he would frequent the gurdwara, its caretaker, Balwinder Singh, was taken into police custody when the crackdown on Amritpal and his organisation began on March 18.

It is being said that Amritpal wanted to get arrested at the same gurdwara as he wanted to make a point: that he is following the path shown by Bhindrawale, who, though called a terrorist through most of India, is revered by some Sikhs.