Incarcerated radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh is set to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Punjab's Khadoor Sahib seat. Singh, who leads the pro-Khalistan organization 'Waris Punjab De,' is currently detained in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam under the National Security Act.

Amritpal Singh, a 30-year-old leader of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and the head of the Waris Punjab De organization, has emerged as a controversial figure in Punjab's socio-political landscape. Born on January 17, 1993, in Jallupur Khera, Amritsar district, Punjab, Singh's journey from a mechanical engineering student to a prominent Khalistan sympathizer and preacher has been marked by significant events and controversies.

Amritpal Singh is the youngest of three children born to Tarsem Singh and Balwinder Kaur. After completing his secondary education, he enrolled in a diploma course in mechanical engineering at Lord Krishna Polytechnic College in Kapurthala in 2009. However, he did not complete his degree and moved to Dubai in 2012, where his family runs a transport business.

Singh's political activism gained momentum during the 2019 farmers' protest in India. He became a vocal supporter of the movement and of Deep Sidhu, a prominent figure in the protests against the three controversial farm laws. His support for the farmers' cause saw him travel back to India, but he returned to Dubai following the repeal of the laws.

After Deep Sidhu's tragic death in a car accident on February 15, 2022, Amritpal Singh's involvement with the Waris Punjab De organization deepened. A letter posted on Waris Panjab De's Facebook account appointed him as the new leader. By August 2022, Singh had returned to Punjab, adopting a more traditional Sikh appearance with a flowing beard and turban. He was baptized at Anandpur Sahib in September 2022, where he declared that true freedom for Sikhs could only be achieved through self-rule.

Amritpal Singh's speeches and actions have frequently sparked controversy. In October 2022, he offended the Christian community with his remarks about Jesus Christ. His comments and activities have led various political entities to call for his arrest on charges of sedition. His social media presence has also been curbed, with his Twitter account withheld in India and his Facebook and Instagram accounts suspended.

Singh's alignment with the Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish an independent Sikh homeland, has drawn parallels with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a prominent figure in the movement killed during the 1984 Army operation at the Golden Temple. Singh's mannerisms and rhetoric appear to deliberately echo Bhindranwale, solidifying his image as a modern-day proponent of the Khalistan cause.

Amritpal Singh faces numerous legal challenges. A recent case under the Arms Act was filed after a significant cache of weapons was found in possession of his associates. Singh has been linked to Avtar Singh Khanda, a UK-based figure believed to have played a significant role in his rise to prominence.

In March 2023, Singh narrowly escaped capture by the police, changing his appearance and hiding in a gurdwara before fleeing. His dramatic escape highlighted his adeptness at evading law enforcement.

Despite his legal troubles, Singh has entered the political arena, contesting as an Independent candidate from the Khadoor Sahib seat in Punjab. His nomination, filed by his lawyer Harjot Singh, disclosed that Singh has assets worth just Rs 1,000, with no movable or immovable property to his name. His wife, Kirandip Kaur, a British citizen and former NHS language interpreter, holds assets worth Rs 18.37 lakh, including cash, gold jewelry, and a UK-based bank account.

Amritpal Singh  was arrested last April and detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). He, along with nine of his associates, is currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam. Amritpal Singh has modeled himself after the slain Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, emulating his style and rhetoric. 

In March 2023, while under scrutiny by security agencies, Singh managed to evade capture by changing his vehicle and appearance in Jalandhar district. 

In February 2023, Singh and his supporters, some armed with swords and guns, broke through barricades and stormed a police station on the outskirts of Amritsar city. Their goal was to secure the release of his aide, Lovepreet Singh Toofan. This incident led the Punjab Police to launch a crackdown against the 'Waris Punjab De' chief.

Amritpal Singh and his associates face multiple criminal charges, including attempting to incite social discord, attacking police officers, and obstructing public officials from performing their duties.

Currently, Singh is lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act, along with nine of his associates. His electoral campaign continues despite his incarceration, reflecting his persistent influence and the complex dynamics of his support base.

Amritpal Singh's trajectory from an engineering student to a radical Sikh preacher and political candidate encapsulates the volatile intersection of religion, politics, and militancy in Punjab. His controversial stance on the Khalistan movement, combined with his legal entanglements and political ambitions, ensure that Singh remains a pivotal figure in contemporary Sikh activism. As Punjab heads to the polls on June 1, Singh's influence and the reactions to his candidacy will be closely watched, underscoring the enduring complexities of the region's socio-political fabric.