Bhagwant Singh | |
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Personal details | |
Born | Bajeke, Moga District, Punjab, India |
Political party | Independent |
Other political affiliations | Waris Panjab De |
Occupation |
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Known for | Khalistani separatism |
Bhagwant Singh Bajeke (also known as Pradhan Mantri Bajeke) is a comedian, activist and fundamentalist. [1] He received media clout due to his support to and association with Khalistan-supporting, radical leader Amritpal Singh and his organization named Waris Panjab De. [2]
He was known to use Instagram and social media to influence Sikhs, usually youth, and make them support the Waris Panjab De group, there were various videos of him with illegal weapons. [3] His reels were suspect to many controversies due to their violent imagery, showing firearms, or taking jibes at politicians; for example his self-proclaimed title of Pradhan Mantri comes from him stating that, " Bhagwant Mann is the Chief Minister then Bhagwant Singh is the Pradhan Mantri (Prime Minister)." [4]
When the Punjab Government and Central Government decided to crackdown on Amritpal Singh and his aides in Punjab, he was the first to be caught by a Punjab Police cordon. [5] The National Security Act had been implemented on him, after 35 days Amritpal Singh was also caught after a state-wide crackdown and all of his aides were sent to Dibrugarh Jail in Assam. [6] They were reportedly funded by Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence to create a Anti-India militant organization named 'Anandpur Khalsa Force'. [7] The NSA was invoked on him and 9 others, he had 8 FIRs many under the Arms Act. [7]
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. [8] Possibly influenced by these wins, Bajeke had declared that he would contest in the Gidderbaha Assembly by-elections, which lies in the Muktsar Sahib District where Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa won from as well. [9] [10] He decided to contest before any other party declared their candidates. [10]