—Bhai Baldeep Singh, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from Khadoor Sahib, has been actively holding election campaigns in his constituency while spreading message of Sikhi and also honoring other religions. Bhai Baldeep Singh is highly educated, and skilled in a number of traditional kirtan instruments. While he speaks openly against corrupt politicians, and cleaning Punjab of drugs and other vices, he is also spreading Gurmat principles in the villages of Khadoor Sahib where he is campaigning. Bhai Baldeep Singh is also spreading religious harmony amongst all people of Khadoor Sahib.
Videos of Bhai Baldeep Singh have surfaced online in which he talks about Sikh history, and sings the hymns of Gurbani, to his listeners. He goes through villages asking people about history of Punjab, and quizzing them on the meanings of Gurbani. He blames the current leaders of Punjab for doing nothing to spread the message of Gurus. In addition, Bhai Baldeep Singh is targeting the increasing issue of drug abuse in Punjab.
While traveling through villages, he takes pictures of addicts lying on road in broad daylight, and shares those to raise awareness. As per Bhai Baldeep Singh, these people have been victimized by the current Government, who have provided drugs to Punjab in abundance. He has also taken up the issue of previous Governments having destroyed historical architecture in Punjab, and not doing anything to preserve what is left.
While Bhai Baldeep Singh would be an excellent member of the India’s Lok Sabha, he faces strict competition from S. Simranjit Singh Mann, a respectful leader of the Sikh community, who has fought a lone battle for the Sikh Nation’s struggle to sovereignty. S. Mann of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Amritsar (A) is contesting as a Khalistani candidate, and he has promised to work towards release of Sikh detainees who have been languishing in jails throughout India. Khadoor Sahib is known to be a “Panthik” constituency, as it is home to a large number of “Shaheed” (martyr) families. A large number of Sikh, as well as Hindu families, will vote for S. Mann, regardless of who else is contesting, just because they feel they owe a lot to him. S. Mann told Sikh24 that he considers Bhai Baldeep Singh an honest person, however requested that he stand up for rights of Sikhs.
In addition, the race to Lok Sabha from Khadoor Sahib includes Ranjit Singh Brahmpura of SAD Badal (B), and Harminder Singh Gill (Congress). Harminder Singh Gill is ex-President of the All India Sikh Student Federation. His nomination from Congress sent shocks across Panthik circles. There are also eight independent candidates, not including those who have received nominations from other smaller political parties.
It will be interesting to see either Bhai Baldeep Singh, or S. Simranjit Singh Mann win from Khadoor Sahib, however there might be a split of votes between the two candidates, which could then possibly help others. S. Mann has been criticized for fielding candidates in all constituencies of Punjab, aside of Ludhiana. He has also fielded candidates against Himmat Singh Shergill of Aam Aadmi Party in Anandpur Sahib and against Bahujan Samaj Party’s Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, son of Shaheed Bhai Beant Singh.
