Political supporters of incarcerated Khadoor Sahib MP, Amritpal Singh, took to the streets of Amritsar on Wednesday in a forceful demonstration against the state government's decision to deny him parole. The protest was organized by his political outfit, Waris Punjab De, following the rejection of his request to attend the ongoing winter session of the Lok Sabha.
Symbolic March and Strong Accusations
In a powerful display of dissent, party members and supporters undertook a march spanning approximately 2.5 kilometers. They walked from Ranjit Avenue to the office of the deputy commissioner, with many symbolically wearing handcuffs and shackles around their necks to highlight their leader's confinement. The protest aimed to condemn the Punjab government's move, which the group labels as politically motivated.
Amritpal Singh's father, Tarsem Singh, was vocal in his criticism, directly accusing the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. "This is just the beginning. We will not tolerate injustice," he declared. He alleged that the state administration deliberately refused the parole request under the false pretext of a potential law-and-order threat, thereby obstructing his son's constitutional duties as an elected representative.
The Legal Battle for Parliamentary Attendance
The controversy stems from Amritpal Singh's efforts to participate in parliamentary proceedings. His father revealed that the jailed MP first approached the Supreme Court with a petition seeking permission to attend the monsoon session of Parliament, scheduled from December 1 to 19. The core argument presented was that attending the session is his constitutional right as a Member of Parliament.
Furthermore, he intended to raise critical issues affecting his constituency and the state, notably the matter of recent floods in Punjab. Despite these appeals, permission was not granted. Amritpal Singh, the radical Sikh preacher, is currently lodged in the high-security Dibrugarh jail in Assam. He had secured a decisive victory in the Lok Sabha elections from the panthic seat, winning by a significant margin of around 200,000 votes. Although he was sworn in as an MP under exceptionally tight security, his subsequent requests to attend Parliament sessions have been consistently denied.
Implications and Rising Tensions
The protest in Amritsar signals escalating political tensions in Punjab surrounding the treatment of the elected MP. The situation underscores a clash between the state government's security concerns and an MP's right to perform legislative functions. Supporters of Waris Punjab De view the parole denial as a suppression of democratic representation and have vowed to continue their agitation. This development places the Punjab government under increased scrutiny for its handling of the case, with potential for further legal and political confrontations as the parliamentary session continues.
