Charanjit Channi backs Amritpal Singh: ‘Elected MP still in jail an emergency’

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi raised concerns over the detention of ‘Waris Punjab De’ Chief and independent MP from Khadoor Sahib, Amritpal Singh.

Channi criticised the government, stating, “They speak about Emergency every day. But what about the undeclared Emergency in the country today?… This too is Emergency that a man who was elected as an MP by 20 lakh people in Punjab is behind bars under the NSA. He is unable to present the views of the people of his constituency, here. This too is Emergency.”

As a row erupted over the remark, the Congress clarified that the views expressed by Charanjit Singh Channi were personal and did not reflect the party’s stance.

“The views expressed by Charanjit Singh Channi on Amritpal Singh are his own, and do not reflect in any way the position of the Indian National Congress,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said.

Amritpal Singh was arrested last year along with nine associates under the National Security Act (NSA). The arrest followed an incident in Moga’s Rode village, where Singh and his supporters clashed with police at the Ajnala police station while attempting to free one of his aides.

While still incarcerated, Amritpal Singh contested the recently concluded Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate. He was elected MP from Khadoor Sahib constituency.

Weeks after the results were declared, Amritpal Singh was brought to Delhi earlier this month on a four-day custody parole to take his oath as a Member of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Mann distanced himself from Channi’s remarks.

Mann stated, “I am not concerned for what Channi says. I am more concerned for Punjab’s law and order.”

Both AAP and Congress are part of Opposition’s INDIA bloc.

CHANNI’S REMARK SPARKS ROW
Charanjit Channi’s remark evoked a sharp reaction from the BJP, with party leader Giriraj Singh demanding clarification from the top Congress leadership.

He said it is “dangerous for the country that the Congress is supporting Khalistan,” referring to the movement advocating for a separate Sikh state.

BJP national spokesperson RP Singh attacked Congress over its party MP’s remarks.

RP Singh said, “It’s the Congress’ DNA that is coming out. It was Congress who raised Bhindranwale and divided Punjab through him and won elections later. Today, they are standing with Amritpal… Since the election is going to be held in Punjab in 2027 and he (Charanjit Singh Channi) knows that they are going to lose the elections and hence, they are supporting someone who tries to divide the nation. But what else he can do, this is his party line.”

“…Mallikarjun Kharge and his party must clarify if their party is standing with someone who is trying to divide the country,” RP Singh said.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan also slammed the remark made by Charanjit Singh Channi.

“The person about whom he (Charanjit Singh Channi) was talking about, no one can support that idea. He has won (the polls) and now has right to speak (in House), but if anyone goes against the interest of the country, this government won’t keep quiet,” Paswan said.