Why Amritpal may have ended up dividing Sikhs rather than uniting them

Both the state and central agencies are maintaining a very high state of alert in Punjab as reports have surfaced that radical Sikh preacher, Amritpal Singh may look to arrange for a Sarbat Khalsa and then surrender before the police.

He has been on the run for the past three weeks ever since the Punjab Police launched a massive manhunt for him. Singh has since released videos stating that he is not afraid to die and also said that he will not betray his associates.

It has now become a perception battle, said a source to OneIndia. By organising the Sarbat Khalsa and then surrendering, Singh plans to become a hero and the agencies want to prevent this.

The manner in which he has been evading arrest and then calling for a Sarbat Khalsa is similar to what his hero Bhindranwale did. Let us rewind to the 80s. Lala Jagat Narain was murdered as per the orders of the Bhindranwale and the police was on the lookout for him. Bhindranwale in turn offered before a court that he would turn himself if he was allowed to address a public gathering.

He addressed the gathering and following his arrest there was large-scale violence in various parts of Punjab.

There was immense political pressure at that time and this eventually led to the release of Bhindranwale. Following this he walked out of jail and was escorted by a sea of humanity, which in turn propelled his status even further.

Amritpal is aiming for that status and is playing to the plan of the ISI which wants widespread violence in Punjab. If Amritpal manages to do what Bhindranwale did, then there would be chaos in the state. If the Sarbat Khalsa is allowed and Amritpal addresses it, then it would be a disaster for the security mechanism. Post this event if he surrenders, then like one saw in the 1980s there would be chaos in Punjab, the agencies feel.

However there is a twist to the tale with the Akal Takht ruling out a Baishaki meet by Amritpal. A statement issued by the Jathedar has appealed to the people to attend the religious meeting that the Akal Takht is organising. The Jathedar (high priest) Giani Harpreet Singh said that he is already organising a programme on the current situation in Punjab and the role of the Punjabi media.

The agencies are also keeping a close tab in the wake of the Dal Khalsa opposing the convention of the Sarbat Khalsa on April 13 which is Baisakhi. The Dal Khalsa said that the timing and the ground situation is not conducive to convene such a meeting. Dal Khalsa leader, Kanwar Pal Singh said that when the Sarbat Khalsa was held in November 2015, there was a virtual split in the community. "The Sikhs today are divided on political, social and religious issues and calling for such a meeting in a fluid situation as this may further create controversy and divisions," he said.