'Deeply hurt': Amritpal disagrees with his mother's comments on Khalistan
What's the story
Newly-elected Khadoor Sahib MP, Amritpal Singh, has said he is "deeply hurt" by a statement made by his mother, Balwinder Kaur, about his position on Khalistan. Kaur stated on Friday that her son was not a Khalistan supporter, and that advocating for Punjab's rights and youth welfare does not equate to supporting Khalistan. The statement was made as Singh arrived in Delhi from Dibrugarh jail in Assam to take oath as MP.
Reaction
Singh expresses disappointment over mother's remarks
"When I discovered today the statement made by Mata ji yesterday, I felt deeply hurt," Singh said. He added that such a statement should never come from his family or anyone who supports him. Singh also emphasized his commitment to the idea of Khalsa Raj, stating it was not only a right but also a matter of immense pride.
Warning
Singh stresses commitment to Khalsa Raj, warns family
Singh further underscored his commitment to the idea of Khalsa Raj, stating, "Countless Sikhs have laid down their lives for this dream, and we cannot even fathom stepping back from this sacred path." He also warned his family against compromising on the concept of a Sikh State. Drawing upon historical examples, Singh cited the story of Baba Banda Singh Bahadar's young companion, who refused to deny his Sikh identity even when his mother tried to save him by doing so.
Campaign
Singh's election campaign avoided Khalistan issue
Interestingly, the issue of Khalistan was notably absent during Singh's election campaign. Instead, he was primarily portrayed as an anti-drug crusader and religious preacher. Singh has been lodged in jail since last year along with 10 members of his outfit, Waris Punjab De, following their arrest under the National Security Act. He won the Lok Sabha election from the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab as an independent candidate contesting from jail.