Khalsa Vaheer

Over the past few months we have seen a new figure come to prominence in the Sikh community, one Bhai Amritpal Singh. So, what is his background, what has he achieved and what is the Khalsa Vaheer?

Bhai Amritpal Singh was chosen as the second leader of the ‘Waris Punjab De’, after the tragic death of Deep Sidhu in March 2022. At the time he was living in Dubai and subsequently an inauguration ceremony took place in the town of Rode, the birthplace of Sant Jarnail Singh Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, where he then took Amrit. Over the following month or so, thousands followed in Bhai Amritpal’s footsteps and also took Amrit. 

Subsequently, he launched Khalsa Vaheer, a multi month procession around Punjab starting at Darbar Sahib, Amritsar and finishing at Kesgarh Sahib in December. The purpose of the procession was to spread Sikhi and lead the youth away from drugs, and alcohol which has been plaguing the younger generations of Punjab for years. In that area he has been quite successful in that hundreds of the youth have turned away from drugs and towards Sikhi by taking Amrit.

In addition to parchar of the youth, the Vaheer was used to spread the importance of Shastar (weapons – see the quote from Bhai Jeevan Singh’s Rehitnaama above). This is of particular importance in the current climate, because recently police in Amritsar have been going round to Sikh houses and confiscating weapons. Shastars are an integral part of Sikhi and possession of such swords (and other weapons) is a legal right for Sikhs.

As always when it comes to new individuals in the Panth, there has been controversy surrounding Bhai Amritpal Singh when it comes to the way he dresses and acts which is quite to similar to Sant Jarnail Singh Ji. Some call him a copycat, some say he is controlled by other people around him. This is combined with the inevitable attempts by people in power to silence such individuals. For example, his twitter and his Instagram (which were both used to great effect in getting his message to the youth) were recently banned and deleted.

The truth, it is for you to decide, we won’t be able to know what is going on behind the scenes, yet what one can see is the effect he is having on the youth. Inspiring the younger generation, leading them away from the drugs that is plaguing our community and inspiring them to take Amrit can only be a good thing. Let us hope that he can continue to inspire many more to take the correct path.