Daljeet Kalsi is a actor-turned-activist, fundamentalist and politician.[1] He first came into media limelight due to his support to and association with Khalistan-supporting, radical leader Amritpal Singh and his organization named Waris Panjab De.[2] He was allegedly the link between Amritpal Singh and Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence.[3]
Daljeet Kalsi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Known for | Khalistan movement |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Waris Panjab De |
He was originally a C-Grade Punjabi actor who joined Deep Sidhu, who was a key conspirator in the 2021 Red Fort Incident.[4] He had openly spoken on Khalistan before his association with Amritpal Singh and had connections with Khalistani lobbies in Vancouver and London.[5] He also had connections to Pakistan and its Inter Services Intelligence.[5] Kalsi has been supporting Amritpal in professing radical ideology and raised the demand of secession of Punjab from India by violent means.[5] He also had been supporting Amritpal actively provoking and conspiring to wage war against the state for a separate nation by name of Khalistan.[6]
It was said he was the key financer of Amritpal Singh, he received around 35 crore rupees of foreign aid from other countries, possibly Pakistan.[6] He had various Bollywood actors and singers in his friend circle as well.[4] He was arrested from his house in Gurgaon after a crackdown on Amritpal Singh and his aides.[7] Other than Kalsi and Amritpal Singh, 8 other aides to Waris Punjab De were arrested under the National Security Act and detained in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam.[8][9]
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.[10] Possibly influenced by these wins, Daljeet Kalsi had declared that he would contest in the Dera Baba Nanak Assembly by-elections.[1] He decided to contest before any other party declared their candidates.[1] Other than him Prime Minister Bajeke and Kulwant Singh Rauke decided to contest from Giddarbaha and Barnala respectively.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Now, other NSA detainees want to throw hat in poll ring". Hindustan Times.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (26 June 2024). "Amritpal's Aide, NSA Detainee Pradhan Mantri Bajeke May Contest Elections". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ "Delhi-based Daljit Kalsi is a link between Amritpal and Pakistan". Hindustan Times.
- ^ a b "Who is Daljit Singh Kalsi? Amritpal's Close Aide, Known to Bollywood Punjabi Singers, Backed an MP". News18. 21 March 2023.
- ^ a b c "Actor Daljit Kalsi detained under NSA in accordance with law, Punjab tells High Court : The Tribune India".
- ^ a b "3rd NSA detainee in Punjab byelection race: Daljeet Singh Kalsi to fight from Dera Baba Nanak". The Times of India. 1 July 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Amritpal Singh's aide actor Daljeet Kalsi arrested in Gurugram, video surfaces". Inshorts - Stay Informed. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Why was Amritpal Singh, his aides sent to Assam's Dibrugarh central jail". LiveMint.
- ^ Singh, Bikash (20 April 2023). "Daljit Singh Kalsi's wife says her husband is in good health and is being looked after by jail authorities". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. 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.