Thousands Gather at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib on Call by Amritpal Singh's Mother

Last week, Balwinder Kaur, mother of arrested Waris Panjab De leader Amritpal Singh gave a call to Sikh youth to converge at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib on 19 Nov. Heeding the call, a large number of devotees performed Ardas (supplication) at Anandpur Sahib for the release of Bandi Singhs - Sikh detainees who have been detained in various Indian jails long after they should have been released. After the Ardas, hundreds of young men and women participated in Amrit Sanchar and became Amritdhari (initiated Sikhs). Amritpal Singh's mother Balwinder Kaur said that this is the second stage of the Ardas event being performed on the five Takhts. Earlier prayers were offered at Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the next prayer ceremony will be held on 3 Dec at Takht Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda). Balwinder Kaur also expressed her vision of Khalistan as a governance model that includes Sikhs, Hindus, and other communities living without fear. She believes Khalistan represents the inclusive governance of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's era. Balwinder Kaur had earlier gone to Akal Takht hoping to meet the Jathedar and request for Ardas in all five Takhts; however, the Jathedar was unavailable. Even for this event, the government blocked efforts of many who wanted to reach, and disallowed family members of Bandi Singhs from reaching Anandpur Sahib. Amritpal Singh and his associates have been charged under the National Security Act and remain incarcerated at Dibrugarh jail in Assam. On 4 Nov, the Courts dismissed the bail petitions of three of the associates in the Feb, 2023 Ajnala jail attack case.