'Dreaming Of Khalsa Raj Not A Crime': Amritpal Singh Refutes Mother's 'Not Khalistani Supporter' Remark

'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh disowned his mother's statement saying, "Dreaming of 'Khalsa Raj' is not a crime but a matter of pride". 

 Radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh. (Photo: PTI)

Source : PTI

After Amritpal Singh's mother said that her son was not a Khalistani supporter, the Radical Sikh preacher and MP from Khadoor Sahib, distanced himself from the statement and warned his family against compromising on 'Sikh Raj'. In a statement issued by him through his team on Saturday night, the 'Waris Punjab De' chief said "Dreaming of 'Khalsa Raj' is not a crime but a matter of pride". 

"When I came to know about the statement made by 'Mata ji' (mother) yesterday, I felt hurt. Though I believe that 'Mata ji' made this statement unknowingly, even then such a statement should never come from my family or anyone who supports me," the statement read., news agency PTI reported.

The statement, issued under the title 'official statement by Bhai Amritpal Singh' further read: "Dreaming of 'Khalsa Raj' is not a crime but a matter of pride. Lakhs of Sikhs sacrificed their lives to fulfil this dream and we cannot think of stepping aside from this path. I have said many times from stages that if ever I had to choose between 'Panth' and family then I will always choose the 'Panth'." 

'My Son Is Not A Khalistani'

As Singh took oath as a member of Lok Sabha, his mother Balwinder Kaur on Friday, had told reporters in Amritsar that her son is not a Khalistani supporter. She also demanded his immediate release. 

 "He (Amritpal) is not a Khalistani supporter. Does speaking about Punjab, saving the youth of Punjab make him a Khalistani supporter? He contested the election within the ambit of the Constitution and now he should not be called (a Khalistani supporter). He has taken an oath of the Constitution of India," she said.

#WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Balwinder Kaur, mother of 'Waris Punjab De' Chief and independent MP from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat Amritpal Singh, says, "He (Amritpal) is not a Khalistani supporter. Does speaking about Punjab, saving the youth of Punjab make him a Khalistani… pic.twitter.com/c5RNE9GaUr

— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2024

Later, in a video message, Kaur said the media twisted her statement.

'Never Compromise, Speak Against Sikh Raj': Singh Warns Family

In his statement, the jailed preacher also stated: "It fits well with a historical incident in which Sikhs accompanying Banda Singh Bahadur were being martyred, a 14-year-old youth's mother tried to save him by saying that he was not a Sikh. Then youth said if this woman says I am not a Sikh then I declare that she is not my mother. Indeed, this example is quite severe for this incident but from a principle point of view, it is understandable."

Warning his family against compromising on Sikh Raj, Singh wrote: "I warn my family to never even consider a compromise on Sikh Raj, let alone speaking against it. There should be no such mistake while interacting with 'Sangat'."  

Amrtipal Singh and Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid had won the Lok Sabha polls from their respective seats in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, respectively. While Singh is lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh Central jail for offences under the National Security Act, Engineer Rashid is lodged in Tihar.

Both were granted parole to take oath as members of the Lok Sabha and were sworn in as MPs on Friday in the Speaker's chamber.

Singh was flown from Assam to Delhi on a four-day custody parole for taking oath.

He had won from the Khadoor Sahib seat, defeating Congress's Kulbir Singh Zira by a margin of 1,97,120 votes.