Kulwant Singh Rauke
Kulwant Singh Rauke | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rauke Kalan, Moga District, Punjab, India |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Waris Panjab De |
| Occupation |
|
| Known for | Khalistani separatism |
Kulwant Singh Rauke is a Sikh activist and politician.[1] He was a key aid to the fundamentalist organization Waris Punjab De and its chief Amritpal Singh.[1]
Career[edit]
Before joining Waris Punjab De, Kulwant was a clerk with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).[2] His father Charat Singh was a supporter and friend of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) head Simranjit Singh Mann and Sikh non-political activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, he was also a sarpanch of Nihal Singh Wala village.[2][3] He was picked up by the Punjab Police in March 25, 1993 and never returned.[4] Charat Singh's younger Gurmail Singh was a militant and was killed in June 1984 during Operation Blue Star.[5]
He left the PSPCL and became part of Waris Punjab De, he worked with Amritpal Singh and tried spreading fundamentalist and radical mindsets to the Sikh youth.[6] After a riot ensued in Ajnala Police Station, Kulwant Singh Rauke, Amritpal Singh and 8 of their associates were put in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam under the National Security Act for compromising the integrity of the India.[6]
During the 2024 Indian General election, Amritpal Singh won from the Khadoor Sahib Constituency. Whereas Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of Beant Singh who assassinated Indira Gandhi, won from the Faridkot constituency.[7] Possibly influenced by these wins, Kulwant Singh Rauke had declared that he would contest in the Barnala Assembly by-elections.[8] He decided to contest before any other party declared their candidates.[9][6]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Amritpal Singh's aide Kulwant Singh Rauke to contest Barnala byelection : The Tribune India".
- ^ a b "Another NSA detainee Kulwant Rauke to contest Barnala bypoll, announces his brother". The Indian Express. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh's associate gets 6-day parole from Assam jail". The Indian Express. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Amritpal Singh case: Detained under NSA, Powercom clerk whose father was picked up by police in 1993 and never returned". The Indian Express. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Bajwa, Harpreet (30 June 2024). "Pro-Khalistani Amritpal's close aides Kulwant, Bhagwant, and Kalsi announce plans to contest Punjab assembly by-elections". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Amritpal effect in Punjab: Poll bug bites another NSA detainee after Bajeke". The Times of India. 30 June 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Sethi, Chitleen K. (5 June 2024). "Amritpal, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa — Sikh radicals' poll victories pose challenge for Mann govt". ThePrint. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ "Now, other NSA detainees want to throw hat in poll ring". Hindustan Times.
- ^ Joshi, Aditi (1 July 2024). "The Disturbing Rise of Khalistani Candidates in Punjab Elections".