The Indian government’s decision to capture Sikh activist Amritpal Singh at all costs, even if it means disregarding basic human rights, could have serious consequences. Singh has been under the government’s radar for speaking out against the treatment of Sikhs and other minority groups in the country. He is a staunch advocate of “Khalistan,” the idea of establishing a separate homeland for Sikhs. The Indian government considers this movement to be treasonous and has outlawed it, detaining several of its followers.
Last month, Singh led a group to a police station in Punjab to demand the release of a member of his organization. The confrontation turned violent, and the government used this as an excuse to launch a manhunt for Singh and arrest over 100 others. However, the elusive activist has always managed to evade capture.
How is India Trying to Catch Amritpal Singh?
After multiple failed attempts to apprehend Amritpal Singh, the Indian forces have expanded their tactics, implementing a range of repressive measures, including severe restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression, and cutting off internet communications and text messaging across Punjab. The United Nations Human Rights Office has condemned these actions, stating that they undermine basic human rights.
Despite these alarming actions by the government, the country’s media outlets have primarily focused on Singh’s political views, rather than the government’s tyrannical policies. They have been aiding in shifting attention away from the human rights abuses being committed against the people of Punjab. Labelling political activists as violent anti-nationals is a common strategy employed by the Indian government to suppress political dissent. This strategy was also employed during the recent nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the year-long farmers’ protests in Punjab.
The government’s response to Singh’s activism suggests that his growing influence poses a significant threat to its power game.
The Perfect Excuse for Sikh Persecution
Indian forces have also detained many other activists, including respected human rights lawyer Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, further demonstrating that this is not about a single individual, but rather about silencing dissenting voices.
The government’s actions in Punjab are reminiscent of the 1984 Sikh massacre, where the Indian military took control of the Golden Temple, the most significant Sikh site in Amritsar. In order to capture one Sikh leader, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Sikh worshippers.
This is why many journalists, human rights activists, and even civilians are questioning the government’s narrative and attempting to consider the full scope of these events.
India Continues to Violate Human Rights with Impunity
The Indian government’s commitment to democratic norms has always been shaky, and it is now more apparent than ever that its primary concern is consolidating its hold on power at the expense of basic human rights.
The Indian state has long controlled the media and the narrative; however, with access to a range of outlets and social media platforms, many are able to share information and express themselves freely. This is why the Indian regime frequently employs internet shutdowns, misinformation, and propaganda, establishing how much they want to suppress free expression.
There is a need to see a bigger picture of what is happening in India. As countries around the world continue to slide into fascism and despotism, questioning authority is becoming increasingly important and urgent.
