Amritpal Singh's ascent to the Lok Sabha seems to have set a rather peculiar precedent in the Indian political arena. Following his footsteps, two of his known associates, Bhagwant Singh ‘Pradhan Mantri’ Bajeke and Kulwant Singh Raoke, are preparing to toss their hats into the electoral ring. They aim to contest the upcoming Punjab Assembly by-polls for the Gidderbaha and Barnala constituencies, respectively. What makes their candidature even more intriguing—or perhaps, alarming—is that both individuals are currently behind bars. Like Amritpal, they were detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and are now inmates at Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam.

Adding to the drama, Kulwant Singh's cousin, Maha Singh, has stepped forward with claims that paint a vivid picture of Kulwant’s political ambitions from behind bars. He reported that during a conversation, Kulwant expressed a keen interest in contesting the Assembly by-polls and has instructed him to gather support from Panthic organisations. Prior to his arrest, Kulwant was employed with the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in his hometown of Raoke Kalan, located in the Moga district. His political aspirations now align with those of Waris Punjab De chief and the pro-Khalistan MP, Amritpal Singh, who himself is yet to swear in as Lok Sabha MP following his electoral victory.

This unfolding scenario raises eyebrows and questions alike: Is the pathway to political power now being paved from the confines of a prison cell?

Kulwant Singh, Son of a Disappeared NSA Detainee, Eyes Assembly Seat

In a bizarre twist that seems almost scripted for satire, Kulwant Singh, the son of Charat Singh—who mysteriously disappeared after being detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in 1993—has declared his intentions to contest in the upcoming Assembly by-elections from Barnala. His father, Charat Singh, was taken into custody in 1987 under the same act, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since his arrest in 1993. His family has been left in the dark, grappling with uncertainty about his fate. Maha Singh, a relative, lamented, “To date, we do not know if he was killed in a fake encounter or if he is still alive. We do not have any proof of his death. He was taken by police and never came back.” This unresolved disappearance forms a somber backdrop to Kulwant's political aspirations.

In an interview with the Times of India, Maha Singh relayed a conversation he had with Kulwant Singh, who is currently incarcerated. “When I had a word with Kulwant Singh on Friday, he confirmed that he’d contest from Barnala and asked me to contact the Panthic organisations to prepare the ground. I am on with that task.” Despite the prison bars, Kulwant seems determined to follow in the footsteps of his father, albeit through the ballot rather than protest.

Adding to the drama, a young boy named Akashdeep Singh, who claims to be the son of Bhagwant Singh ‘Pradhan Mantri’ Bajeke, has taken to social media to announce that his father will also contest the Assembly by-elections from Gidderbaha. Bhagwant Singh, who gained notoriety during the farmer protests, became a social media sensation with the “Police again police” meme. This latest development in Punjab’s political saga underscores a growing trend where the lines between criminal records and electoral candidacies are becoming increasingly blurred, painting a surreal picture of democracy in action.

Vacant Seats and Controversial Victories: The Current State of Punjab's Political Theater

The political landscape in Punjab continues to surprise, as seats become vacant and candidates with contentious backgrounds step forward to fill them. The latest development comes as Gidderbaha’s seat was left open when Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring ascended to the role of MP from Ludhiana. Similarly, the Barnala seat was vacated following Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claiming victory in the Sangrur seat during the Lok Sabha Elections. Additional vacancies have arisen in Baba Bakala and Chabbewal, where Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Raj Kumar Chabbewal have also moved up to become MPs. With the declaration of these seats as vacant by the Punjab Assembly Speaker, the Election Commission now faces the task of organizing by-polls within the next six months.

This wave of elections and vacancies comes alongside some particularly eye-catching election outcomes. Apart from Amritpal Singh's victory in the Lok Sabha polls from Khadoor Sahib, other notable wins have raised eyebrows and concerns alike. For instance, Kashmiri separatist leader Abdul Rashid Sheikh, currently held in Tihar jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), secured a win from Baramulla, outpacing Omar Abdullah. In another stirring result, Khalistani leader Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, whose father Beant Singh was one of the assassins of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, triumphed in Faridkot.

These developments highlight a growing trend where the paths to political power are being trodden by individuals with controversial or criminal pasts, reflecting a paradoxical scenario where those confined for undermining the state are simultaneously being entrusted with legislative responsibilities. The irony of such political victories points to a peculiar democratic dilemma, where voters and the legal system grapple with the complexities of freedom, legality, and representation.