Sikh separatist contests India election from jail, a worry for government

KHADOOR SAHIB: According to campaign managers, a jailed Sikh separatist leader contests India’s general election from prison, garnering significant support. This development raises concerns for New Delhi, aiming to prevent any resurgence of Sikh militancy.

Amritpal Singh, 31, remains detained in a high-security prison in Assam, far from his Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab state. Villages and towns display posters depicting him with swords and bullet-proof vests.

Singh was arrested last year and jailed under a tough security law. He and his supporters stormed a police station with swords and firearms, demanding the release of an aide.

A win in a parliamentary election could legitimize Singh’s cause. It may raise concerns about a resurgence of militancy from past decades.

Tarsem Singh spoke inside a Sikh temple set beside wheat fields and a river canal. Portraits of Sikhs who were killed during the militancy in Punjab, called “martyrs” by Singh’s supporters, were pinned on the walls.

Sikhs form the majority in Punjab but are only 2 percent of India’s population. Sikh militants sought independence in the 1970s, but harsh crackdowns subdued the insurgency by the early 1990s.

In response to the Sikh separatist’s election bid from jail, the government faces a delicate balancing act. Sikh separatist election candidacy tests the resilience of India’s democratic institutions and governance.

Additionally, it necessitates careful consideration of legal and security implications. As India grapples with this unprecedented challenge, the outcome of the election will shape the country’s political landscape and governance priorities.
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