In August 2022, Amritpal Singh, a self styled, radical[4] preacher came to prominence after being appointed as the head of Waris Punjab De in the wake of Deep Sidhu's death (a succession described as illegitimate by the relatives and some associates of Sidhu).[5][6][7][8] He subsequently embarked on a campaign and numerous preaching tours advocating for the creation of Khalistan and for Sikhs to recieve baptism, imbibe religious values, shun drugs and other vices, and adhere to a more austere lifestyle.[9][10] He glorified the use of violence and weapons during public events.[11] In March 2023, Indian authorities initiated a crackdown on Waris Punjab De, alleging the organization's involvement in attempted murder, attacks on police personnel, and spreading disharmony in Punjab. He was eventually arrested on 23 April after absconding and being on the run for 35 days.[12]
Numerous protests, particularly among diaspora Sikhs, occured in the aftermath of Singh's arrest. While many transpired without incident, numerous violent attacks were reported in various locations. A mob of protesters attacked the Indian consulate in San Francisco, another mob attacked the Indian High Commission office in London and attempted to pull down the Indian flag off the pole, broke windows and inflicted minor injuries on security staff.[13][14][15] The NIA has claimed that a group of protestors in San Francisco were exhorted to kill all representatives of the Indian government.[16] Further, two people poured flammable material in the entrance of the consulate and attempted to set the building on fire.[17] In Canada, Sikh groups attacked and threw two grenades in the Indian High Comission Building in Ottawa. Amritpal Singh's brother in law, Amarjot Singh, has been named as the primary accused in the attack.[16] In Washington, Khalistani supporters verbally intimidated and physically assaulted an Indian journalist covering the protests.[18] In Surrey, another journalist was allegedly assaulted and harassed by Khalistani supporters.[19] The Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, was threatened with assasination by Khalistanis.[20] On July 2, Khalistani extremists set the Indian consulate in San Fransisco on fire.[21] The arson attempt was promptly surpressed by the San Fransisco Department, resulting in limited damage to the building and no injuries to the staffers present.[22] The incident was condemned by State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller.[23] A video of the incident was released on Twitter by Khalistani supporters, suggesting the attack was retaliation for the recent death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the former chief of the Canada based, Khalistan Tiger Force, an extremist millitant organization.[22]
- ^ "'Bhindranwale 2.0': Radical Khalistan Sympathiser Amritpal Singh Active In Punjab". NDTV News. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
Often escorted by armed supporters and donning a flowing white 'chola' and a navy-blue turban, radical preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh has been very active for some time in Punjab.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Print Feb 2023was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Radical preacher Amritpal Singh issue: Habeas corpus petition moved in HC seeking his 'release'". Financial Express. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ [1][2][3]
- ^ "'Deep Sidhu disliked Amritpal Singh, blocked his phone'". Tribune India.
- ^ Matharu, Sonal (2022-10-25). "Fiery orator, 'Bhindranwale 2.0' — who's Amritpal Singh, new 'head' of Deep Sidhu's Waris Punjab De". ThePrint. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ "The rise and fall of Amritpal Singh". Tribune India.
- ^ "Unaware how Amritpal Singh declared himself head of 'Waris Punjab De', says Deep Sidhu's kin". Financialexpress. 2023-02-24. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ "Amritpal Singh: Amrit Sanchar to focus on 'de-addiction' of youth". Tribune India.
- ^ "'Khalistan shouldn't be seen as…': Amritpal Singh as Toofan to be freed today". Hindustan Times. 2023-02-24. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ "Amritpal Singh | A radical preacher". The Hindu. 2023-02-25. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ "'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh arrested from Punjab's Moga under NSA; shifted to Assam's Dibrugarh jail". The Hindu. 2023-04-23. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ "Watch: Sikhs attack Indian consulate in San Francisco, raise Khalistani flag to protest against crackdown on Amritpal Singh". Free Press Journal. 20 March 2023. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ Simon Little; Julie Nolin. "Journalist allegedly assaulted as Punjab tensions spill over into B.C." Global News. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ "Indian High Commission: Diplomat summoned after London protest". BBC News. 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ a b "Amritpal Singh's brother-in-law key accused in attack on Indian high commission in Canada". Hindustan Times. 2023-06-24. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ "Pro-Khalistan protesters tried to set on fire India's consulate in San Francisco". The Tribune India.
- ^ "Senior Indian journalist attacked by pro-Khalistanis outside Indian Embassy in Washington". Deccan Herald. 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ "Journalist allegedly assaulted as Punjab tensions spill over into B.C. | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ "'Mr Taranjit Singh Sandhu…': Khalistan supporter threatens Indian envoy to US | Watch". Hindustan Times. 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
- ^ "2nd attack since March: Indian consulate set on fire in San Francisco; US condemns violence". The Times of India. 2023-07-04. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
- ^ a b "US condemns vandalism, attempted arson against Indian Consulate in San Francisco". Tribune India.
- ^ "US condemns vandalism at Indian consulate in San Francisco". Reuters. 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2023-07-04.