ECI: Waris Punjab De Separatism Allegations Raise Sovereignty Concerns

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has raised a "grave and serious" objection to registering 'Waris Punjab De' as a political party.
• The ECI expressed concern that the organization's registration could adversely affect India's sovereignty and integrity.
• Waris Punjab De, founded in 2021 by Deep Sidhu and now led by Amritpal Singh, intends to contest the Punjab Assembly elections in early 2027.
• A "very sensitive input" received by the ECI in July 2026 alleged the group is "rooted in separatism" and founded by individuals detained under the National Security Act.
• The ECI has instructed a "comprehensive background inquiry" into these allegations, with the report currently pending.

The Election Commission of India has informed the Delhi High Court of a significant objection to the registration of 'Waris Punjab De' as a political entity, citing potential adverse effects on the nation's sovereignty and integrity.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has formally communicated to the Delhi High Court its profound reservations regarding the potential registration of 'Waris Punjab De' as a recognized political party. The ECI characterized its objection as "grave and serious," articulating a clear concern that granting official status to the organization could detrimentally impact the fundamental "sovereignty and integrity of India." This significant stance was revealed within the context of ongoing legal proceedings.

'Waris Punjab De,' a name translating to 'Heirs of Punjab,' traces its origins to 2021, having been founded by the prominent actor-activist Deep Sidhu. Leadership of the organization has since transitioned to Amritpal Singh, a Member of Parliament who is currently incarcerated and publicly associated with pro-Khalistan ideologies. The group has already outlined its political ambitions, specifically announcing plans to contest the Punjab Assembly elections, which are slated to occur in early 2027. The ECI's current objection thus places a significant hurdle in the path of these electoral aspirations.

A pivotal development in this matter was the receipt by the ECI of a "very sensitive input" on July 9, 2026. This intelligence contained specific and serious allegations, asserting that Waris Punjab De is fundamentally "rooted in separatism." Furthermore, the input claimed that the organization's founders were individuals who had been detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), thereby intensifying the gravity of the concerns. These allegations, according to the ECI, directly "pose grave concerns regarding its allegiance to sovereignty and integrity of India."

Interestingly, an earlier assessment by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab, dated April 27, 2026, had provided a positive verification report for Waris Punjab De. However, the subsequent arrival of the detailed objection regarding the group's alleged separatist underpinnings in July 2026 prompted an immediate and decisive response from the ECI. Consequently, the CEO was instructed to undertake a "comprehensive background inquiry" into the organization's activities and affiliations. The findings and official report from this critical investigation are presently still awaited, leaving the ECI's final decision pending.

The ECI's detailed account of these developments was formally presented to the Delhi High Court through two distinct affidavits, dated September 14, 2026, and November 3, 2026, respectively. These submissions were not unsolicited but rather constituted the ECI's official response to a writ petition initiated by Waris Punjab De itself. The organization's legal challenge specifically sought an expeditious decision on its application for political party registration, an application that had been initially filed on January 22, 2025.

This ongoing judicial engagement highlights the stringent regulatory framework governing political party registration in India, particularly when national security implications are brought to the forefront. The ECI's proactive measures, including the directive for a thorough background inquiry, underscore its constitutional responsibility to safeguard the nation's foundational principles. The ultimate resolution of Waris Punjab De's registration hinges significantly on the outcome of the comprehensive investigation, which will determine whether the allegations of separatism are substantiated and how they impact the organization's eligibility to participate in the democratic process.

Source: Based on disclosures to the Delhi High Court.