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Jailed Khadoor Sahib MP and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh’s father Tarsem Singh told News18 that the main issue in Punjab is the drug menace
Tarsem Singh, father of radical Sikh preacher and independent MP Amritpal Singh. File pic/PTI
In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with CNN-News18, Tarsem Singh—father of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh—broke his silence on the ideological roots of their movement, the rampant drug crisis crippling Punjab, and the state’s shifting political landscape. Addressing key questions on systemic state suppression, electoral recognition, and the shortcomings of traditional regional parties, Singh detailed how Waris Punjab De aims to offer an alternative focused on grassroots Sikh welfare, regional sovereignty, and cross-community unity. From challenging mainstream political parties to outlining a vision for Punjab’s future, his candid remarks shed light on their stated high-stakes struggle for democratic representation.
How was Waris Punjab De born?
The main issue in Punjab is the drug issue. Many young men have died in the state due to this. Economically, it has led to destruction in many families. It was present and prevalent before as well, but it has only worsened now. This drug issue affected Amritpal, and he started learning about the history of the Gurus of Punjab and started working on this issue by leaving his work and business. During the farmers’ protest, Deep Sidhu joined Amritpal and felt a similar need to save Punjab and the farmers too. Deep Sidhu and Amritpal both steered the farmers’ protest. He was a very intelligent and visionary man. He envisioned the fight of farmers, not just as a fight for our farms and farmers, but for our generations. When both had a similar vision and desire about Punjab that kept the issues of Punjab at the centre, Waris Punjab De was born, as other parties present in the state only looked at dividing the state, by spreading religious disharmony, by resorting to conversion—by forcing helpless people to convert to Christianity. On the people of Punjab, rule that is run by Delhi is being imposed. Waris Punjab De means that you’re the resident (Waris) of Punjab. All issues of Punjabis are the issues of our party. Deep Sidhu, unfortunately, couldn’t live longer to work more on this motive. After his demise, the leadership baton was passed onto Amritpal. Even though he was living a privileged life in Dubai, he sacrificed his comfortable life there, realising that for the welfare of the state, he had to make this sacrifice. This decision was taken by him on the basis of how all our gurus, our leaders, and freedom fighters too, left foreign lands and returned home to fight for our freedom. He had one mission: to reach every home and end the drug menace, guide people onto the divine route of the Gurus, and show them the right path. Our legacy and history were never like this. The present condition of Punjab is completely opposite to how our ancestors shaped our land. To end the drug issue, he started Khalsa Vaahir, which began in the Majha belt, where he would go into people’s homes and motivate them to leave drugs. This moved further to the Doaba belt too. Campaigns and meetings against the drug menace started becoming normal as he planned to build a hospital for drug-free treatment, but he couldn’t do so. As the state government was happy running the drug cartel, it couldn’t see the good work against it happening on the ground anywhere. Party workers, the police force, and big fishes are all involved in the drug issue, and they conspired to illegally detain Amritpal and send him to jail. He was released earlier after the Punjab police admitted their mistake, but looking at the growing popularity of Amritpal and how support was coming in for him from across the state, a massive conspiracy was hatched to detain him, following which a state-sponsored operation was staged against him. Most of his supporters were also caught by the Punjab Police. The state government used heavy force to detain him, whereas he wasn’t running away anywhere.
How will you fight the elections without a valid ECI symbol?
This is what I am asking the ECI. We say and believe that India is the world’s largest democracy. Then I want to ask how it is possible that in the Lok Sabha polls—where Amritpal won with a huge margin, took the oath, and became an MP in Parliament as per the Constitution—till date, he hasn’t been able to attend even one session constitutionally in Parliament. There are so many issues in Punjab, including drugs and floods, that can be addressed in Parliament where the benefit of schemes can be granted to the people of this constituency. But neither the central government nor the state government is willing to let that benefit reach the people of Khadoor Sahib, keeping him in jail. Amritpal became an MP because people supported him throughout his time behind bars, and they understood that to resolve the issues of Punjab, you need a regional party here. All the other parties are national parties, be it AAP or BJP. We are not being granted official registered political status as the governments fear that support is overpowering for Waris Punjab De, so they want to stop us. Is this democracy not for us? We have our elected leaders and MP, but still we can’t contribute to governance. Farmers were killed by state action during the agitation, so our Sikh brothers feel that we are being held captive under this BJP government at the Centre.
What’s your view on the Shiromani Akali Dal, which is a regional party and seen as the primary party for Panthic votes?
SAD was a party that belonged to the people of Punjab. It was a party that used to work for Punjabis, but in the year 1995, it disregarded the Panthic ideology, joined hands with the BJP, and governed Punjab. Even then, none of the issues of Punjab was resolved. Welfare schemes didn’t reach Punjab as they only benefited their own family members while they were in power.
At A Glance
Waris Punjab De was formed due to the drug issue in Punjab and the vision of Deep Sidhu and Amritpal Singh.
Amritpal Singh became an MP for Khadoor Sahib but has not attended Parliament sessions due to his incarceration.
Waris Punjab De aims to be a regional party focused on Sikh welfare, regional sovereignty, and cross-community unity.
Tarsem Singh criticises the BJP for not addressing drug trafficking across borders into Punjab.
Waris Punjab De is receiving support from various communities and neighbouring states like Haryana.
Can the BJP work towards ensuring a drug-free Punjab?
The BJP is only doing drama. For the past 12 years, they have been in power at the Centre. They have state governments in Haryana and Gujarat, so why don’t they answer how borders are being crossed and drugs are entering Punjab? Many central agencies under the Centre are in Punjab, like the NIA and the ED, but no investigation is happening by these agencies to dismantle the drug ecosystem. Wherever the BJP has a double-engine government, drugs are coming from there. A few days ago, HS Phoolka gave a statement regarding how drugs are entering Punjab. Why are the borders not being sealed by the Centre? The same drama is being performed by the state government too. They have a campaign against drugs, but whoever raises a voice against drugs, this state government tries to shut them down. The state hasn’t given bail to those who have been lodged in jail for the past 3 years. Punjab is extremely distressed due to drugs. The people of Punjab have no hope from the BJP. When people elected the current state government to power, two main critical issues were present—one was drugs and the other was the issue of sacrilege. People had high hopes for the elected government, but they have failed badly.
How many seats are you confident about across the rural and urban belts?
Amritpal has a follower base and support base not just in Punjab, but across neighbouring states like Haryana, and people are recognising his work abroad as well. The people of Punjab are currently hoping that by electing Amritpal, the drug issue can be eradicated. The times ahead will reveal how many seats we can secure in the upcoming polls. Many support groups are approaching us, and we are confident of forming the government in Punjab with a majority. Not just in Punjab, we are receiving a great degree of support from Haryana. The Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee of Haryana has also joined hands with us. Now the people of Punjab have made up their minds that they only want a Punjabi party. They want a party that can be run from Punjab. The people of Punjab have seen the rule of Congress, they have seen BJP and Akali Dal rule, and even the AAP regime, and none of the issues has been resolved. The state has collapsed. So, if they want to save Punjab, only Waris Punjab De can do that. We are also in touch with Hindus, as Waris Punjab De is open to support from all communities. Not just them; Dalit communities are joining hands with us. We have a big dream of Khalsa Raj that we will accomplish by bringing together people from all religions and communities, but they all must be Punjabis. Only the issues that Punjabis feel need to be raised will then be prioritised.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Tarsem Singh questioned the Election Commission of India over delays in granting official registered political status and a valid election symbol to Waris Punjab De.
Ask News18About the Author
Simran Babbar is a Senior Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering key developments in emerging sectors related to education and investigations. Through her reports, she brings significant updates from t…Read More
October 09, 2026, 22:33 IST
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