Iqbal Singh Lalpura

Iqbal Singh Lalpura (born February 7, 1953) is a former IPS officer and Indian politician. He is currently serving as chairman of India's National Commission for Minorities.[1][2] He is known for the arrest of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.[3] Lalpura was an investigating officer for the 1978 Sikh–Nirankari clash.[4]

Iqbal Singh Lalpura
Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities
Assumed office
April 2022
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi
MinisterMukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Personal details
BornFebruary 7, 1953 (70 years old)
Punjab, India
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
OccupationPolitician, author, former IPS Officer
Known forArrest of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

Early life and career

Lalpura, a member of the Sikh community, hails from Punjab.[5]

Throughout his law enforcement career, Lalpura held key positions in Punjab's border districts, including DIG Punjab Police,[6] SSP Amritsar, SSP Tarantaran, and Additional Inspector General CID Amritsar. He received several awards, including the President's Police Medal and the Police Medal for Meritorious Services.[5][1]

Arrest of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

Iqbal Singh Lalpura served as an investigating officer for the 1978 Sikh–Nirankari clash and also played a pivotal role in the arrest of Sikh separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in April 1981. Bhindranwale was a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement. During this critical operation, Bhindranwale had agreed to surrender, but on the condition that only baptized officers would apprehend him. Consequently, a specialized three-member team was assembled for this task, consisting of Lalpura himself, along with police officer Jarnail Singh Chahal and SDM BS Bhullar.[4]

Political career

After retiring from the police force in 2012, Lalpura joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and became a national spokesperson, known for his appearances in television debates.[5]

Lalpura is also a prolific author, with works like 'Japji Sahib ek vichaar', 'Gurbaani ek vichaar', and 'Raj Karega Khalsa', focusing on Sikh philosophy and history.[1]

During the farmers' protests in Punjab, he actively engaged with various parts of the state, facing protests in Sangrur and Barnala.[1]

On 16 September 2022, Lalpura praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to him as a "better Sikh than most of us." Lalpura highlighted several initiatives by the Modi government aimed at the Sikh community, including the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor in 2019 and the removal of Sikh foreign nationals from a secret blacklist. He claimed that Prime Minister Modi's announcement to repeal the controversial farm laws on Guru Nanak Dev's birthday demonstrated his dedication to Sikh concerns and suggested that the BJP had a plan for "peaceful co-existence" with the Sikh community.[7]

Chairman of National Commission for Minorities

In April, Lalpura assumed the role of Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, a significant position addressing minority community issues in India.[5][1][8]

Controversy

Lalpura faced criticism from Harjinder Singh Dhami, Chief of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), who accused him of allegedly working against the interests of the Akali Dal candidate, adding a political dimension to his role as Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities.[5][9]

On 2 November 2022, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) formally requested the President to dismiss National Commission for Minorities chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura from his position, citing concerns of interference in the religious affairs of the Sikh community. The SAD accused Lalpura of attempting to disrupt the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), a prominent Sikh religious organization. This move by the SAD reflects their strong objection to what they perceive as undue interference in Sikh religious matters by a government-appointed official.[10]

Personal life

Lalpura hails from Punjab's Ropar district.[5]

References
  1. "Who is Iqbal Singh Lalpura, ex-cop who arrested Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and newest member of BJP's top body?". Firstpost. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  2. "Iqbal Singh Lalpura appointed chairman of National Commission for Minorities: Sources". The Economic Times. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  3. Ghazali, Mohammed (22 February 2019). "Iqbal Singh Lalpura Of Bhindranwale Arrest Fame Is Sikh Face In BJP Top Body". NDTV.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  4. "Ex-cop Iqbal Singh Lalpura who arrested Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale is National Minority Commission chief". The Tribune (India). 9 September 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  5. "Who is Iqbal Singh Lalpura, the national commission for minorities chief being slammed by SGPC?". The Indian Express. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  6. Vasudeva, Ravinder (18 August 2022). "Lalpura appointed member of BJP's parliamentary board, poll committee". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  7. Sharma, Unnati (16 September 2022). "'Modiji is a better Sikh than most of us,' says minorities commission chief Iqbal Singh Lalpura". ThePrint. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  8. "Conversions of Sikhs must stop: National Minority Commission chief Iqbal Singh Lalpura". The Tribune (India). 20 December 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  9. Singh, IP (6 August 2023). "Paramjit Singh Sarna flays NCM chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura, says his selective vision sees only SGPC". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  10. "SAD urges President to dismiss Lalpura as Minorities Commission chairman". The Statesman (India). 2 November 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
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