Amritpal Singh has spoken for the first time since March 18, 2023, in a video address. The video is in Punjabi, which we have translated into English below. As with all translations, there will be elements lost to translation.
#BREAKING Bhai Amritpal Singh Ji addresses panth since March 18th 2023 in his first video since evading the 80,000 Punjab Police officers pic.twitter.com/kEVz1DelGg
— SinghStation (@MrSinghStation) March 29, 2023
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Today, with the Sikh Sangat, I am speaking for the first time since March 18.
I would like first to address what happened on March 18.
If the government really wanted to arrest me, they could have arrested me at home, and I would have given my arrest too.
But the behaviour the government chose to take, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of men and putting up blockades to arrest me – God, with great blessings, got us out of that situation.
At that time, it appeared to us that the government was trying to stop us from getting to Malwa in order to prevent our Khalsa Vaheer.
We thought we should get to Malwa and start the Vaheer, and decided to get there under any circumstances.
When the internet stopped, and we could not communicate with anyone, at first, we did not get news of what was actually happening.
Today, as I am speaking to the Sangat, I have seen the news of what has happened till now in Punjab, and the atrocities the Punjab government has committed. How they have detained Sikh youth as enemies, and how they have not spared women and children. They have made disabled youth into criminals and thrown them in jail.
This is the kind of work that, at one time, the Beant Singh government committed against Sikhs.
There have been protests around the world.
First, I want to thank the Sikh Sangat from my heart that raised awareness of my apparent arrest or protested in this regard. Thank you for protesting and courting arrest.
We need to understand our situation, and that this issue is not just about my arrest, this is about an attack on the Sikh nation. I was not scared of being arrested before, and I am not afraid of being arrested now.
So because of this, I am appealing to the Sikh Sangat, that how Jathedar Sahib (Giani Harpreet Singh) brought together a meeting at the Akal Takht, one decision was made to give the government an ultimatum to respond to demands within 24 hours, but the government in challenging Akal Takht’s authority made very lowly comments.
It is my opinion that the Jathedar needs to take a strict stand and call a Sarbat Khalsa on Vaisakhi at Damdama Sahib.
I appeal to Sikhs, around the world, wherever they are, that they should participate in a Sarbat Khalsa on Vaisakhi and discuss our nation’s issues.
For a very long time, our nation has protested on various small issues here and there, but if we want to solve Punjab’s issues, and free our arbitrarily detained youth, we must hold a Sarbat Khalsa.
This government has committed excesses on ordinary and simple Sikhs like Pardhan Mantri Bajeke, just because they took Amrit. Just because of this, they got slapped with the NSA and sent to Assam, my other companions have been sent to Assam, and others have been detained in jails. We knew we would face this type of unjust punishment on the path we have taken, but to speak against it is a duty of our people.
I appeal to the Sikh nation around the world that a Sarbat Khalsa happen on Vaisakhi, and the Jathedar seriously consider this. The Jathedar has said to take out a Vaheer and wake up people in villages. But, my humble request is that the people are already awake. The fear that the government has put in people needs to be broken, and the Jathedar should come out himself and lead everything.
To all the other Sikh bodies, my appeal is that they also take part in a Sarbat Khalsa.
This Sarbat Khalsa should be like the one which was held after Abdali’s genocide against our people. In the Sarbat Khalsa that happened at Darbar Sahib then, there was no Sikh that did not arrive at the Akal Takht. Even those that could not walk crawled to get there.
My appeal is if we want to save Punjab’s youth and Punjab, we should take part in a Sarbat Khalsa, and claim our rights as a people.
About my arrest, that is in the hand of God. I am in Chardi Kala. No one could harm me.
Sachay Patshah has had me travel on a difficult path and taken my test, but God has given me support and blessed me beyond words. To be able to escape such a massive cordon- this was a great blessing of Sachay Patshah.
My thanks to the Sangat, and appeal to get ready to act. If we hide in our houses today in fear, our future generations will never forgive us.
These were my thoughts. With this, I ask for forgiveness for any mistakes – it has been a very long time since I have spoken with the Sangat. I hope this brings relief to those that were worried. I am in Chardi Kala, and so are the other Sikhs. I ask for forgiveness, again, for any mistakes.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh