After living in Dubai for a decade, he returned to Punjab in September 2022, having been controversially appointed as the leader of Waris Punjab De, a Khalistani separatist pressure group, and started an anti-drugs campaign, encouraging youth to adopt a traditionalist form of Sikhism, and advocated a sovereign Sikh nation state in Punjab, India called Khalistan.[7][8][9][11]
Indian intelligence sources claim that Singh has been supported by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI),[15] that he has stockpiled arms while raising a private militia called Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF).[16][17][24] In March 2023, the state government, acting in coordination with the central government, launched an intense crackdown on Singh and his associates.[28] He was arrested on 23 April 2023 under the National Security Act (India).[29][30]
^ abcManjeet Sehgal (23 February 2023). "Bhindranwale 2.0: Who is Khalistani separatist leader Amrit Pal Singh?". India Today. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023. The self-styled chief of the separatist Khalistani pressure group - 'Waris Punjab De', Amrit Pal Singh, is trying to establish himself as Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale 2.0.
^"As Amritpal Singh's followers run amok, a brief history of the Khalistan movement". The Indian Express. 24 February 2023. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023. Openly pushing the separatist idea of Khalistan, Amritpal challenges the theory of nationalism, and draws parallels between the idea of Sikh sovereignty and Hindu Rashtra. He even dresses like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, calling him his "inspiration".
^ abVasudeva, Vikas (23 February 2023). "Pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh's supporters attack police in Punjab's Ajnala". The Hindu. ISSN0971-751X. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023. Armed with swords, guns and sharp weapons, scores of supporters of the self-styled Sikh preacher and pro-Khalistan (sovereign state for Sikhs) propagator Amritpal Singh on Thursday indulged in a scuffle with Punjab police personnel, injuring a few in Amritsar's Ajnala.