Amritpal Singh Challenges NSA in Supreme Court

Punjab Jailed Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh is preparing to move the Supreme Court against the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) on him for the third time, signaling a strong legal push from behind bars. Singh, currently lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh Central Jail, continues to communicate with his followers and supporters, urging them to remain connected with his political outfit and to continue the ideological movement he started last year in Punjab.

The 30-year-old radical preacher was arrested in March 2023 after evading a state-wide manhunt launched by the Punjab Police. Since then, the NSA has been invoked against him multiple times, which allows authorities to detain a person without trial for up to 12 months. The latest application of the NSA, which came earlier this month, has triggered outrage from Singh’s supporters and civil rights activists who claim the government is silencing dissent using legal loopholes.

Amritpal Singh’s legal team is reportedly working on a detailed petition to be filed in the Supreme Court, arguing that his continued detention is unconstitutional and politically motivated. The petition, expected to be submitted in the coming days, will challenge the validity of using the NSA repeatedly without producing concrete evidence of any fresh threats posed by Singh during his incarceration.

Despite being cut off from physical public interaction, Singh remains a potent symbol for a section of the Sikh youth who resonate with his message of religious identity and self-governance. From his jail cell in Dibrugarh, he recently sent out a message through his advocates and supporters, encouraging young Sikhs to align with his political platform and continue to work towards community empowerment and Sikh unity. “This is not just about one man being imprisoned,” Singh is quoted as saying in the message. “It is about silencing the voice of a people seeking dignity and rights.”

The central government and the Punjab administration, however, maintain that Amritpal’s detention is necessary to maintain law and order, citing intelligence inputs that his release could spark unrest. His earlier activities, particularly his attempts to revive separatist narratives under the guise of religious reform, remain under scrutiny.

Back in Punjab, his followers continue to organize small gatherings, community kitchens, and awareness drives to keep the movement alive. Social media platforms are witnessing increased engagement from groups supporting Amritpal Singh, many of whom are demanding a transparent legal process and a fair trial.

As the legal drama unfolds in the Supreme Court in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on whether the judiciary offers relief or reaffirms the government’s tough stance. For now, Amritpal Singh remains behind bars—but his words and influence seem far from contained.