/   Pro-Khalistan self-styled Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh is set to take oath as a Lok Sabha MP from Khadoor Sahib on Friday, July 5 — marking a significant moment in Indian political history. Currently detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) in Assams Dibrugarh jail, Amritpals journey to the Lok Sabha will be closely watched.   On the same day, another jailed MP-elect, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, is also scheduled to be sworn in. Rashid, an Independent candidate from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, has been in Tihar Jail since his arrest in connection with a 2017 terror funding case.   Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori on Wednesday confirmed that Amritpal has been granted parole for up to four days starting July 5. He clarified that the parole comes with specific conditions already communicated to the Jail Superintendent in Dibrugarh. Amritpal Singh will be escorted to Delhi by the Amritsar police for the oath-taking ceremony.   Amritpal will be flown from Dibrugarh Central Jail to Delhi and then taken directly to the chamber of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for oath. However, the radical Sikh preacher will not be taken to the Lok Sabha floor for the oath.   It has been learnt that Amritpal will be brought to Delhi via a direct flight from Dibrugarh to Delhi. Amritsar police have also reportedly departed for Assam to escort Amritpal to Delhi after completing all legal formalities.   An official maintained that the parole will be allowed only for taking the oath. The four-day parole is granted to ensure his transit despite any potential weather disruptions and comes with specific conditions already communicated to the jail superintendent in Dibrugarh.   The news regarding Amritpals parole was also corroborated by Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, an Independent MP from Faridkot parliamentary constituency in Punjab, following his meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The Speaker has told me that Bhai Amritpal will take the oath on July 5, he said.   Amritpals advocate Rajdev Singh Khalsa noted that neither he nor Amritpals family had received any official confirmation. Punjab Home Secretary has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, forwarding Amritpals plea to be allowed to take the oath. This plea was processed through the jail superintendent of Dibrugarh jail to the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner, who then forwarded it to the home secretary. While we await official information, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa has informed us after his meeting with the Speaker that Amritpal will be taking the oath on July 5, said Khalsa.   Earlier, Khalsa indicated that Amritpals oath-taking might coincide with Engineer Rashids. Rashid, who was granted two hours of custody parole on July 5 by a Delhi court with the National Investigation Agencys (NIA) approval, has been incarcerated in Delhis Tihar Jail. Despite his imprisonment, Rashid won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an Independent candidate from Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir, defeating former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.   The other 12 MPs from Punjab were sworn in on June 25, with Amritpal absent. His name was called third on the list after the Congresss MP from Amritsar, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, took the oath. The Punjab government had written to the Speaker, assuring that they would facilitate Amritpals attendance whenever permitted.   Amritpals victory in Khadoor Sahib, achieved with a significant margin of 1.97 lakh votes despite his imprisonment and inability to campaign, has inspired his family and constituency supporters. Arrested on April 23, 2023, following a month-long manhunt, Amritpal has been held in Dibrugarh jail under the NSA.   His election success has also motivated three of his aides, who are NSA detainees, to announce their candidacies for upcoming bypolls in three Assembly constituencies. Kulwant Singh Raoke, Bhagwant Singh, alias Pradhan Mantri Bajeke, and Daljeet Singh Kalsi plan to contest from Barnala, Gidderbaha, and Dera Baba Nanak, respectively.   Amritpal, the head of the Waris Punjab De organization, hailing from Jallupur Kheda village near Amritsar, defeated Congresss Kulbir Singh Zira to win the Khadoor Sahib seat with over four lakh votes.   On February 23, 2023, under Amritpals leadership, thousands of people stormed the Ajnala police station in Amritsar, leading to his arrest after a two-month long hot chase, and subsequent detention under the NSA since April 2023. Despite his incarceration, his popularity remains strong, reflected in his decisive electoral victory.    

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