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{{short description|Indian politician (born 1955)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2021}}{{EngvarB|date=October 2021}}
'''Simranjit Singh Mann''' (born 20 May 1945)<ref name="akalidalamritsar1">{{cite web|url=https://akalidalamritsar.net/President.asp |title=Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) |publisher=Akalidalamritsar.net |date= |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref> is a [[Sikh]] politician from [[Punjab]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=89232 |title=Khalistan ideologue in police net |publisher=Indianexpress.com |date=9 March 2006 |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/pro-khalistan-slogans-raised-at-golden-temple_10057391.html |title=Pro-Khalistan slogans raised at Golden Temple |publisher=Thaindian.com |date= |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=[[Immigration and Refugee Board]] of Canada|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,464db4f52,46516083d,4829b559c,0.html |title=India: Whether members of the Akali Dal (Mann) / Akali Dal (Amritsar) party are harassed and arrested for participating in party gatherings, for publicly complaining about the treatment of Sikhs by Indian authorities or for calling for the creation of Khalistan (separate homeland for Sikhs); whether police regard members of the Akali Dal (Mann) party with suspicion and monitor them for signs of any links with terrorism (2005–2008) (15 April 2008, IND102547.E)|publisher=[[UNHCR]] |date= |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref> He is president of the Sikh political party [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)]]. Mann is a two time Member of Parliament, winning from Taran Tarn in 1989 and Sangrur in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/election/1999/oct/26inter.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT: The Rediff Election Interview/ Simranjit Singh Mann |publisher=Rediff.com |date=26 October 1999 |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref> He has been arrested or detained some 30 times but he has never been convicted.<ref name="India 2014">{{cite web | title=Book review: Stolen Years – A Memoir of Simranjit Singh Mann’s Imprisonment | website=The Indian Express | date=27 September 2014 | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/books/partial-recall-2/ | accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref>
{{infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Simranjit Singh Mann
|constituency_MP = [[Sangrur (Lok Sabha constituency)]]
| image = File:S. Simranjit Mann.jpg
|term = 1999-2004
| office = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
|predecessor = [[Surjit Singh Barnala]]
| term_start2 = 2 December 1989
|successor = [[Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa]]
|term1 = 1989-1991
| term_end2 = 13 March 1991
|constituency_MP1 = [[Taran Taran (Lok Sabha constituency)]]
| constituency2 = [[Tarn Taran (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tarn Taran]]
|predecessor1 = [[Tarlochan Singh Tur]]
| predecessor2 = [[Tarlochan Singh Tur]]
|successor1 = [[Surinder Singh Kairon]]
| successor2 = [[Surinder Singh Kairon]]
| term_start1 = 6 October 1999
|party = [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)]]
| term_end1 = 13 May 2004
| constituency1 = [[Sangrur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Sangrur]]
| predecessor1 = [[Surjit Singh Barnala]]
| successor1 = [[Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa]]
| term_start = 26 June 2022
| term_end = 4 June 2024
| constituency = [[Sangrur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Sangrur]]
| predecessor = [[Bhagwant Mann]]
| successor = [[Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer]]
| office3 =
| office4 = President of [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)]]
| term_start4 = 1 May 1994
| term_start3 =
| term_end3 =
| office5 = [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee|Member of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]]
| term_start5 = 1996
| term_end5 = 2011
| constituency5 = Bassi Pathana
| predecessor5 =
| successor5 =
| birth_place = [[Shimla]], [[British Punjab|Punjab]], [[British Raj|British India]] <br /> (present-day [[Himachal Pradesh]], India)
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1945|05|20}}
| party = [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)]]
| otherparty = [[Shiromani Akali Dal]] (until 1991)
| residence =
| alma_mater = Govt. College, Chandigarh
| profession = Agriculturist & Police Officer
| occupation = Politician
| education = B.A. (honours) (gold medalist)
| footnotes =
| parents = Sardar Joginder Singh Mann and Sardarni Gurbachan Kaur
| children = 3 {{small|(Including Emaan Singh Mann)}}
| spouse = Geetinder Kaur Mann
}}
}}
'''Simranjit Singh Mann''' (born 20 May 1945)<ref name="akalidalamritsar1">{{cite web |url=https://akalidalamritsar.net/President.asp |title=Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) |publisher=Akalidalamritsar.net |date= |archive-date=1 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201172325/http://akalidalamritsar.net/President.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> is a former [[Indian Police Service]] officer and a former [[Member of the Lok Sabha|Member of the Parliament]] in the [[Lok Sabha]], the lower house of the [[Parliament of India]], representing the constituency of [[Sangrur]] since 2022. He lost elections in 2024 and Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer became new member of parliament. He is the president of the political party [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)]]. Mann has served three-times as an MP; once from [[Tarn Taran (Lok Sabha constituency)|Taran Tarn]] between 1989 and 1991, and twice from [[Sangrur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Sangrur]] between 1999-2004 and since 2022.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/election/1999/oct/26inter.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT: The Rediff Election Interview/ Simranjit Singh Mann |work=Rediff News |date=26 October 1999 |archive-date=21 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221172835/http://www.rediff.com/election/1999/oct/26inter.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2022-06-26 |title=Sangrur Bypoll Results Live: AAP loses Bhagwant Mann's seat, SAD-A wins by 6,800 votes |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sangrur-by-election-results-2022-live-updates-counting-of-votes-lok-sabha-bypoll-results-in-punjab-101656210234523.html |website=Hindustan Times |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626091844/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sangrur-by-election-results-2022-live-updates-counting-of-votes-lok-sabha-bypoll-results-in-punjab-101656210234523.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= AESL Chemistry Lecture Plans - Google Drive|url=https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fKdwXItuiu5l7NfuPD6UIkyGWH1gsvic}}</ref> He is a known Khalistani supporter and his party is known for their pro-[[Khalistan movement|Khalistan]] stances.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 March 2006 |title=Khalistan ideologue in police net |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=89232 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220064822/http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=89232 |archive-date=20 February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date= |title=Pro-Khalistan slogans raised at Golden Temple |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/pro-khalistan-slogans-raised-at-golden-temple_10057391.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827001202/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/pro-khalistan-slogans-raised-at-golden-temple_10057391.html |archive-date=27 August 2009 |publisher=Thaindian.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=[[Immigration and Refugee Board]] of Canada |date= |title=India: Whether members of the Akali Dal (Mann) / Akali Dal (Amritsar) party are harassed and arrested for participating in party gatherings, for publicly complaining about the treatment of Sikhs by Indian authorities or for calling for the creation of Khalistan (separate homeland for Sikhs); whether police regard members of the Akali Dal (Mann) party with suspicion and monitor them for signs of any links with terrorism (2005–2008) (15 April 2008, IND102547.E) |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,464db4f52,46516083d,4829b559c,0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008134006/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,464db4f52,46516083d,4829b559c,0.html |archive-date=8 October 2012 |publisher=[[UNHCR]]}}</ref>


==Background==
==Early life==
Born at [[Shimla]] in 1945, he comes from a political family. His father, Lt. Col. Joginder Singh Mann, was a speaker of the Punjab [[Vidhan Sabha]] (also known as [[Punjab Legislative Assembly]]) in 1967.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/election/2004/apr/13equiz.htm |title=Ace shooter & MP. Who is this? |publisher=Rediff.com |date= |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref> He is married to Geetinder Kaur Mann.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090420/punjab.htm#19 |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – mad |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date= |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref> Mann's wife and Capt. [[Amarinder Singh]]'s wife [[Preneet Kaur]] are sisters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/17646/ |title=Mandarins who rule Punjab |publisher=Indianexpress.com |date=2 February 2003 |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref>
Simranjit Singh Mann was born in [[Shimla]] on 20 May 1945.<ref name="akalidalamritsar1"/> His father Joginder Singh Mann, was a speaker of the [[Punjab Legislative Assembly|Punjab Vidhan Sabha]] in 1967.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/election/2004/apr/13equiz.htm |title=Ace shooter & MP. Who is this? |work=Rediff News |date= |archive-date=8 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308032601/http://www.rediff.com/election/2004/apr/13equiz.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>


He was educated at the [[Bishop Cotton School (Shimla)|Bishop Cotton School]], Shimla and Government College [[Chandigarh]]. He was a gold medalist in subject "History".<ref name="akalidalamritsar1"/>
Mann was educated at the [[Bishop Cotton School (Shimla)|Bishop Cotton School]], Shimla and Government College [[Chandigarh]]. He was a gold medalist in the subjects of history, Punjabi language, religion and political science.<ref name="akalidalamritsar1"/>

He has one son, Emaan Singh, and two daughters, Pavit Kaur and Nanki Kaur.<ref name="akalidalamritsar1"/> Some news agencies also spell his son's name as Imaan Singh Mann.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071207/punjab1.htm |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date= |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref> His son is also a politician.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/6835/38/ |title=SAD(Amritsar) leaders level serious allegations on Daljit Singh Bittu |publisher=PunjabNewsline.com |date=30 November 2007 |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/09onkar.htm |title=It's from father to son in Punjab |publisher=rediff.com |date=9 February 2002 |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref>


==Indian Police Service==
==Indian Police Service==
Mann joined the [[Indian Police Service]] in 1967, and served in the Punjab Cadre of the Service.<ref name="akalidalamritsar1"/>
He had appeared for Central Services Examination in 1966 and subsequently he joined Indian Police Services in 1967 and he was allocated "Punjab Cadre". He worked on several [[Indian Police Service]] positions, including [[Assistant Superintendent of Police]] [[Ludhiana]], [[Senior Superintendent of Police]] [[Ferozepur]], [[Senior Superintendent of Police]] [[Faridkot, Punjab|Faridkot]], [[Assistant Inspector-General of Police]] Railways, Patiala, Deputy Director of Vigilance Bureau Chandigarh, [[Commandant]] of Panjab Armed Police and Group Commandant of Industrial Security Force Bombay. He also served as Assistant [[Deputy Commissioner (India)|Deputy Commissioner]] Governor of Punjab. To protest against Indian Government troops attack (also known as [[Operation Blue Star]]) on [[Harmandir Sahib|Golden Temple]] he resigned from [[Indian Police Service]] on 18 June 1984.<ref name="akalidalamritsar1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/3153/38/ |title=Mann resigns from party after defeat in Punjab elections |publisher=PunjabNewsline.com |date=1 March 2007 |accessdate=9 August 2009}}</ref>

He served as [[Aide-de-camp]] (ADC) to the [[Governor of Punjab (India)|Governor of Punjab]]. He was also posted as a police officer in several districts.<ref name="PunjabNewsline" /> He served in several positions, including [[Assistant Superintendent of Police|ASP]] [[Ludhiana]] City, [[Additional Superintendent of Police|Addl. SP]] [[Ferozepur]], [[Superintendent of Police|SP]] [[Hoshiarpur]], [[Superintendent of Police|SSP]] [[Faridkot, Punjab|Faridkot]], AIG [[Government Railway Police|GRP Punjab]]-Patiala division, Deputy Director of Vigilance Bureau Chandigarh, [[Deputy Inspector General]] of Punjab Armed Police, and DIG (Group Commandant) of [[Central Industrial Security Force|CISF]], Bombay.<ref name="akalidalamritsar1" />

He resigned from [[Indian Police Service]] on 18 June 1984 in protest of [[Operation Blue Star]].<ref name="akalidalamritsar1" /><ref name="PunjabNewsline">{{Cite web |date=1 March 2007 |title=Mann resigns from party after defeat in Punjab elections |url=http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/3153/38/ |url-status=dead |publisher=PunjabNewsline.com |archive-date=15 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715135605/http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/3153/38/ }}</ref> In July 1984 he was dismissed from IPS.<ref name="akalidalamritsar1" />{{Clarify|reason=If he already resigned, how can he be "dismissed"?|date=March 2023}}

== Political career ==
He was charged with the conspiracy to [[Assassination of Indira Gandhi|assassinate Indira Gandhi]]. He was arrested on 29 November 1984 and spent five years in Bhagalpur prison.<ref name="akalidalamritsar1" />

He was elected as the president of the new party United Shiromani Akali Dal.<ref name="akalidalamritsar1" />

Due to his 1984 Political involvements he won 1989 Lok sabha elections from [[Tarn Taran (Lok Sabha constituency)]] in absentia with their 6 other candidates on [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)]] ticket and 3 other candidates also won backed by them.<ref name="tribuneindia excop" />
Afterwards he won 1999 Lok Sabha elections from [[Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency]]. He also won 1996, 2004 [[SGPC]] elections from [[Bassi Pathana]].<ref name="tribuneindia excop">{{cite news |last=Simranjit Singh Mann: Ex-cop who refuses to give up |title= Simranjit Singh Mann: Ex-cop who refuses to give up|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/simranjit-singh-mann-ex-cop-who-refuses-to-give-up-407184}}</ref>

===Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha===
====1989–1991====
He was elected ''in absentia'' to the [[Lok Sabha]] representing the constituency of [[Tarn Taran (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tarn Taran]] by an overwhelming majority, and unconditionally released "in the interests of the State" in November 1989, with all charges dropped. By this time he had spent five years in prison.<ref name="India 2014">{{cite news |date=27 September 2014 |title=Book review: Stolen Years – A Memoir of Simranjit Singh Mann's Imprisonment |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/books/partial-recall-2/ |website=The Indian Express |archive-date=18 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018064415/http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/books/partial-recall-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1990, Mann insisted on bearing his [[Kirpan]] (small sword) into the Parliament session, a religious rite in the Sikh Faith. The security regulations of the Parliament did not allow arms into the house. Accordingly, was denied entry into the [[Old Parliament House, New Delhi|Sansad Bhavan (Parliament house)]] with the weapon. Mann decided to not attend the Parliament.<ref name="rediff">{{cite news |date=9 February 2002 |title=It's from father to son in Punjab |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/09onkar.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021230026/http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/09onkar.htm |archive-date=21 October 2012 |work=Rediff News}}</ref> He subsequently resigned his seat in protest.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/29/world/premier-of-india-meets-sikh-leader.html |title=Premier of India meets Sikh leader |last=Crossette |first=Barbara |newspaper=New York Times |date=29 December 1990 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222123615/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/29/world/premier-of-india-meets-sikh-leader.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====1999-2004====
On 3 November 1999, after Mann was elected to the Lok Sabha by winning in the [[Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency]], the [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]] ordered the Government of India and the Passport Office in Chandigarh to issue a passport to him.<ref>{{cite web|author=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,464db4f52,46516083d,4829b559c,0.html |title=India: Whether members of the Akali Dal (Mann) / Akali Dal (Amritsar) party are harassed and arrested for participating in party gatherings, for publicly complaining about the treatment of Sikhs by Indian authorities or for calling for the creation of Khalistan (separate homeland for Sikhs); whether police regard members of the Akali Dal (Mann) party with suspicion and monitor them for signs of any links with terrorism (2005-2008) |publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |date=15 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008134006/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,464db4f52,46516083d,4829b559c,0.html |archive-date=8 October 2012}}</ref>

On 23 March 2004, [[Prakash Singh Badal]] accused Mann of running derogatory ads against him and indulging in character assassination.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040324/punjab1.htm |work=The Tribune (India) |date=23 March 2004 |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715210609/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040324/punjab1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

He contested for re-election in the [[2004 Indian general election]] from Sangrur constituency but lost the election and came on third position.

He remained the president of the SAD (Amritsar) party for eighteen years. In the [[2007 Punjab Legislative Assembly election]] SAD (Amritsar) contested on 60 seats. Radical organization [[Dal Khalsa (International)]] had supported candidates of SAD (Amritsar). Mann had contested from [[Dhanaula Assembly constituency]] and his son Emaan Singh Mann contested from Sirhind. All the 60 candidates including Mann lost the election with big margins. Most candidates of SAD (Amritsar) had lost their security deposit in the election. Mann offered to resign after his party's poor performance.<ref name="PunjabNewsline" />

====2022-2024====
In the [[2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election]], he lost to [[Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra]] of the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] in the [[Amargarh Assembly Constituency]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Amargarh Election Results 2022 Live: Smit Singh Mann vs Jaswant Singh Gajjanamajra vs Ikabar Singh Jhoonda |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/amargarh-election-results-2022-live-smit-singh-mann-of-congress-vs-jaswant-singh-gajjanamajra-of-aap-vs-ikabar-singh-jhoonda-of-sad/2455726/ |work=Financialexpress |archive-date=10 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310141601/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/amargarh-election-results-2022-live-smit-singh-mann-of-congress-vs-jaswant-singh-gajjanamajra-of-aap-vs-ikabar-singh-jhoonda-of-sad/2455726/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2022, he won the by-poll for the [[Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency]] vacated by then MP, [[Bhagwant Mann]], who went to become Chief Minister of Punjab, Mann won the election by a margin of 5,822 votes. During the election he campaigned for the release of Sikh prisoners.<ref name="advocate">{{cite news |title=Simranjit Mann: Khalistan advocate back in Parliament after two decades |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/simranjit-mann-khalistan-advocate-back-in-parliament-after-two-decades/articleshow/92475393.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=27 June 2022 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626234632/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/simranjit-mann-khalistan-advocate-back-in-parliament-after-two-decades/articleshow/92475393.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="With Sangrur bypoll win, Simranjit Singh Mann makes a comeback">{{cite news |last1=The Hindu |first1= |title=With Sangrur bypoll win, Simranjit Singh Mann makes a comeback |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sangrur-lok-sabha-bypoll-2022-sadamritsar-simranjit-singh-mann-result/article65567281.ece |access-date=21 May 2024 |date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521040220/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sangrur-lok-sabha-bypoll-2022-sadamritsar-simranjit-singh-mann-result/article65567281.ece |archive-date=21 May 2024 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Explained: 5 reasons why Simranjit Singh Mann defeated AAP in Sangrur, CM Bhagwant Mann's bastion |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-5-reasons-simranjit-singh-mann-sangrur-victory-aap-7992302/ |work=The Indian Express |date=26 June 2022 }}</ref> His grandson was in-charge of his election campaign.<ref>{{cite news |title=Behind Simranjit Singh Mann's bypoll campaign, grandson born a year before he last won election |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/behind-simranjit-singh-manns-bypoll-campaign-grandson-born-a-year-before-he-last-won-election-8007051/ |work=The Indian Express |date=4 July 2022 }}</ref>

In August 2022, he objected to President [[Droupadi Murmu]] being referred to as the name "Rashtrapati". He said, "I strongly believe Rashtrapati word is an insult to a woman President." His comments were expunged from the records of the parliament.<ref>{{cite news |title=MP Simranjit Singh Mann's objection to addressing Droupadi Murmu as 'Rashtrapati' expunged from records |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/mp-simranjit-singh-manns-objection-to-addressing-droupadi-murmu-as-rashtrapati-expunged-from-records-1131707.html |work=Deccan Herald |date=31 July 2022 }}</ref> He asked for elections in the [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] (SGPC), the apex religious body of Sikhs.<ref>{{cite news |title=SAD (A) holds protest to demand SGPC elections |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/sad-a-holds-protest-to-demand-sgpc-elections-101663262335786.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=15 September 2022 }}</ref>

He lost the [[Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency|Sangrur]] seat in [[2014 Indian general election|2024 General elections]] to [[Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer|Meet Hayer]] of [[Aam Aadmi Party]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-04 |title=Sangrur election results 2024 live updates: AAP's Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer wins |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sangrur-election-results-2024-punjab-sangrur-lok-sabha-elections-poll-result-updates-gurmeet-singh-meet-hayer-aap-sukhpal-singh-khaira-cong-iqbal-singh-jhundan-sad/articleshow/110670615.cms |access-date=2024-11-06 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Political positions ==
===Khalistan===
Mann is a proponent of Sikh nation state [[Khalistan]].<ref name="advocate"/> Under his leadership, his party SAD (A) continued its position of creating Khalistan as a buffer state between India and Pakistan. Under him, SAD (A) continued spreading the ideology of [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]].<ref name="akalidalamritsar1" />

Every year his supporters gather in the sacred [[Golden Temple]] and raise pro-Khalistan slogans. He dedicated his 2022 Lok Sabha election victory to the Khalistan separatist leader [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]].<ref name="advocate"/><ref name="Dedicates">{{cite news |title=Simranjit Singh Mann stokes row, dedicates Sangrur win to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale: Know about pro-Khalistan leader |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/simranjit-singh-mann-stokes-row-dedicates-sangrur-win-to-jarnail-singh-bhindranwale-know-about-pro-khalistan-leader-10840911.html |work=Firstpost |date=27 June 2022 |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627072635/https://www.firstpost.com/politics/simranjit-singh-mann-stokes-row-dedicates-sangrur-win-to-jarnail-singh-bhindranwale-know-about-pro-khalistan-leader-10840911.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 20 March 2023, Mann's [[Twitter]] account was blocked in India. Mann had tweeted condemning the Punjab Police's operation against separatist leader [[Amritpal Singh]] and the arrest of his supporters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sangrur MP's Twitter account withheld |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/sangrur-mp-s-twitter-account-withheld-101679327681569.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=20 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Menon |first1=Aditya |title=Amritpal Singh Crackdown: Several Sikh Twitter Accounts Withheld on Govt Orders |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/amritpal-singh-twitter-ban-simranjit-mann-indian-express-sikhs-punjab-sidhu-moose-wala |work=TheQuint |date=20 March 2023 }}</ref>

===Bhagat Singh===
In 2007, Mann had called freedom fighter [[Bhagat Singh]], a "petty terrorist". A lawsuit was filed against him, but the prosecution failed to prove its case and he was acquitted by the civil court in 2013. After his release, Mann said, "My acquittal has vindicated my words that Bhagat Singh was a terrorist and not a martyr."<ref name="sedition case">{{cite news |title=SAD leader Mann acquitted in 65th sedition case |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/sad-leader-mann-acquitted-in-65th-sedition-case/story-286A8beHxVCmDCmCjuckLJ.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=11 June 2013 |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715203634/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/sad-leader-mann-acquitted-in-65th-sedition-case/story-286A8beHxVCmDCmCjuckLJ.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2015, he objected to naming the Chandigarh airport after Bhagat Singh and called him a terrorist. He had said, "Bhagat Singh is neither a martyr nor a national hero. He is a terrorist. We are against the naming of Chandigarh International airport as Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Airport."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ch |first1=india today digital |title=Akali Dal leader calls Bhagat Singh a terrorist |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/simranjit-singh-mann-calls-bhagat-singh-a-terrorist-261512-2015-09-07 |work=India Today |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715204440/https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/simranjit-singh-mann-calls-bhagat-singh-a-terrorist-261512-2015-09-07 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2022, he called Bhagat Singh "a terrorist" involved in "terror activities in pre-Independent India".<ref>{{cite news |title=AAP slams Simranjit Singh for calling Bhagat Singh a 'terrorist' |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/aap-slams-simranjit-singh-calling-bhagat-singh-terrorist-1503090370.html |work=The Statesman |date=15 July 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715193118/https://www.thestatesman.com/india/aap-slams-simranjit-singh-calling-bhagat-singh-terrorist-1503090370.html |url-status=live }}</ref> AAP leaders condemned the statement and asked him to apologize.<ref name="Free Press Journal 22">{{cite news |title=Punjab: SAD leader Simranjit Singh Mann courts controversy with 'terrorist' remark on Bhagat Singh |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/punjab-sad-leader-simranjit-singh-mann-courts-controversy-over-terrorist-remark-on-bhagat-singh |work=Free Press Journal |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715145103/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/punjab-sad-leader-simranjit-singh-mann-courts-controversy-over-terrorist-remark-on-bhagat-singh |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NDTV">{{cite news |title=Punjab MP Walks Into Controversy Over Bhagat Singh "Terrorist" Comment |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/punjab-mp-simranjit-singh-mann-walks-into-controversy-over-bhagat-singh-terrorist-comment-3161425 |work=NDTV.com |date=15 July 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715124144/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/punjab-mp-simranjit-singh-mann-walks-into-controversy-over-bhagat-singh-terrorist-comment-3161425 |url-status=live }}</ref> Residents of [[Khatkar Kalan]], Bhagat Singh's native village protested near the [[Khatkar Kalan#Attractions|Bhagat Singh Museum]], shouted slogans of "Death to Simranjit Singh Mann", hit his effigy with shoes and burnt it.<ref>{{cite web |title=People of Bhagat Singh's native village Khatkar Kala shouted slogans of Murdabad by hitting the effigy of Simranjit Singh Mann with shoes & burnt the effigy near Bhagat Singh Museum |url=https://twitter.com/Gagan4344/status/1548980166629568512 |website=Twitter |access-date=28 September 2022 }}</ref>

===General Reginald Dyer===
In 1919, after General [[Reginald Dyer]]'s [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre]], Mann's maternal grandfather Arur Singh, then sarbarah (in-charge) of the [[Golden Temple]] had honoured General Dyer with a "siropa" at [[Akal Takht]]. Singh was a British government appointee. Arur Singh's act hurt Sikh psyche and is considered a "Black chapter" in Sikh history. In July 2022, Mann defended the act of his grandfather saying he did it to pacify Dyer's anger.<ref>{{cite news |title=Simranjit Singh Mann defends grandfather who honoured General Reginald Dyer |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/simranjit-singh-mann-defends-grandfather-who-honoured-general-reginald-dyer-413061 |work=Tribuneindia News Service |date=16 July 2022 }}</ref>

== Family ==
Mann is married to Geetinder Kaur,<ref>{{cite news |date= |title=Door-to-door canvassing by candidates' wives, women kin The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – mad |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090420/punjab.htm#19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422012938/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090420/punjab.htm#19 |archive-date=22 April 2009 |newspaper=The Tribune (India) |quote=Mann’s wife Geetinder Kaur Mann has been campaigning for the SAD (A) candidate}}</ref> who is a sister of [[Preneet Kaur]], the wife of former Punjab CM [[Amarinder Singh]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2 February 2003 |title=Mandarins who rule Punjab |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/17646/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925150559/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/mandarins-who-rule-punjab/ |archive-date=25 September 2022 |newspaper=The Indian Express}}</ref> The couple have a son and two daughters.<ref name="akalidalamritsar1" /><ref>{{cite news |date= |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071207/punjab1.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081105133925/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071207/punjab1.htm |archive-date=5 November 2008 |newspaper=The Tribune (India)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=30 November 2007 |title=SAD(Amritsar) leaders level serious allegations on Daljit Singh Bittu |url=http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/6835/38/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513102144/http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/6835/38/ |archive-date=13 May 2008 |access-date=9 August 2009 |publisher=PunjabNewsline.com}}</ref><ref name="rediff" />

==Electoral performance ==
{{transcluded section|source=Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency|1989}}}}

{{transcluded section|source=Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency}}
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{{transcluded section|source=Qila Raipur Assembly constituency}}
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{{transcluded section|source=Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency}}
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{{transcluded section|source=Dhanaula Assembly constituency}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:Dhanaula Assembly constituency|2007}}}}

{{transcluded section|source=Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency|2009}}}}

{{transcluded section|source=Fatehgarh Sahib Assembly constituency}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:Fatehgarh Sahib Assembly constituency|2012}}}}

{{transcluded section|source=Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency|2014}}}}

{{transcluded section|source=Barnala Assembly constituency}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:Barnala Assembly constituency|2017}}}}

{{transcluded section|source=Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency|2019}}}}

{{transcluded section|source=Amargarh Assembly constituency}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:Amargarh Assembly constituency|2022}}}}

{{transcluded section|source=Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency}}
{{trim|{{#section-h:Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency|2022 by-election}}}}



{{transcluded section|source=Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency}}{{Election box begin|title=[[2024 Indian general elections|General Election 2024]]: [[Sangrur]]}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Aam Aadmi Party|candidate=Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer|votes=3,64,085|percentage=36.06|change={{increase}}1.27}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Indian National Congress|candidate=Sukhpal Singh Khaira|votes=1,91,525|percentage=18.97|change={{increase}}7.76}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)|candidate=Simranjit Singh Mann|votes=1,87,246|percentage=18.55|change={{decrease}}17.06}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Bharatiya Janata Party|candidate=[[Arvind Khanna]]|votes=1,28,253|percentage=12.70|change={{increase}}3.37}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Shiromani Akali Dal|candidate=Iqbal Singh Jhundan|votes=62,488|percentage=6.19|change={{decrease}}0.06}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=None of the above|candidate=None of the Above|votes=3,820|percentage=0.38|change={{increase}}0.03}}
{{Election box majority|votes=1,72,560|percentage={{increase}}17.09|change={{increase}}16.21|}}
{{Election box turnout|votes=10,09,665|percentage=|change=}}
{{Election box registered electors|reg. electors=15,56,601|ref=}}
{{Election box gain with party link|winner=Aam Aadmi Party|loser=Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)|swing={{increase}}1.27}}
{{Election box end}}


==Political career==
==See also ==
In 1984, he resigned his post as Commandant of the Central Industrial Security Force in Bombay<ref name="akalidalamritsar1"/> In protest of genocidal attack on the most sacred shrine [[Harmandir Sahib]] ([[Harmandir Sahib|Golden Temple]]) by Indian army, he resigned <ref>{{Cite web|last=Ahluwalia|first=Muninder K.|date=2013|title=Fast and Furious: Psychologists' Response to Hate Crimes Against Sikhs|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/e604682013-001|access-date=2020-07-11|website=PsycEXTRA Dataset}}</ref> . He wrote a letter to [[President of India|president of india]] explaining brutality of Indian state against Sikh community<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ahluwalia|first=Muninder K.|date=2013|title=Fast and Furious: Psychologists' Response to Hate Crimes Against Sikhs|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/e604682013-001|access-date=2020-07-11|website=PsycEXTRA Dataset}}</ref>. Mann was gaining political mom, hence to snub him he was put in jail with false accusations<ref>{{Cite news|last=Crossette|first=Barbara|last2=Times|first2=Special To the New York|date=1990-05-31|title=Amritsar Journal; Sikh Bears a Sword, Prison Scars and a Grudge|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/31/world/amritsar-journal-sikh-bears-a-sword-prison-scars-and-a-grudge.html|access-date=2020-07-11|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>.


# [[Parkash Singh Badal]]
He was elected ''in absentia'' to India's Parliament by an overwhelming mandate in the State of Punjab, and unconditionally released "in the interests of the State", with all charges dropped, after five years in prison, in November 1989. He was denied an Indian passport on the grounds that he was "threat to the security and integrity of India". Mann was denied entry into the [[Indian Parliament]] when he insisted on carrying a sword with him, refusing to exchange it for an allowable smaller [[Kirpan]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/29/world/premier-of-india-meets-Sikh-leader.html]</ref>
# [[Captain Amarinder Singh]]


==References==
In May 1993, while campaigning in support of a candidate during the Jalandhar by-elections, a gunman attempted to assassinate Mann.
{{Reflist}}
No one was charged in the crime.


{{s-start}}
On 3 November 1999, after Mann was elected to the Indian Parliament, Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the Union of India and the Passport Office in Chandigarh to issue a passport to Mann.<ref>{{cite web|author=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,464db4f52,46516083d,4829b559c,0.html |title=India: Whether members of the Akali Dal (Mann) / Akali Dal (Amritsar) party are harassed and arrested for participating in party gatherings, for publicly complaining about the treatment of Sikhs by Indian authorities or for calling for the creation of Khalistan (separate homeland for Sikhs); whether police regard members of the Akali Dal (Mann) party with suspicion and monitor them for signs of any links with terrorism (2005-2008) |publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |date=15 April 2008 |accessdate=9 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008134006/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,464db4f52,46516083d,4829b559c,0.html |archive-date=8 October 2012}}</ref>
{{s-par|in-lwr}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Tarlochan Singh Tur]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency|Tarn Taran]] |years=1989 – 1991}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Surinder Singh Kairon]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Surjit Singh Barnala]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency|Sangrur]] |years=1999 – 2004}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Bhagwant Mann]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency|Sangrur]] |years=2022 – Present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-end}}


{{Authority control}}
==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Mann, Simranjit Singh}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mann, Simranjit Singh}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:13th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1999–2004]]
[[Category:9th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1989–1991]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Shiromani Akali Dal politicians]]
[[Category:Former members of Shiromani Akali Dal]]
[[Category:People from Shimla]]
[[Category:People from Shimla]]
[[Category:Indian Sikhs]]
[[Category:Punjabi Sikhs]]
[[Category:People from Sangrur district]]
[[Category:People from Sangrur district]]
[[Category:Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) politicians]]
[[Category:India MPs 2019–2024]]
[[Category:Bishop Cotton School Shimla alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Police Service officers]]
[[Category:Khalistan movement people]]

Latest revision as of 06:20, 12 December 2024

Simranjit Singh Mann
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
26 June 2022 – 4 June 2024
Preceded byBhagwant Mann
Succeeded byGurmeet Singh Meet Hayer
ConstituencySangrur
In office
6 October 1999 – 13 May 2004
Preceded bySurjit Singh Barnala
Succeeded bySukhdev Singh Dhindsa
ConstituencySangrur
In office
2 December 1989 – 13 March 1991
Preceded byTarlochan Singh Tur
Succeeded bySurinder Singh Kairon
ConstituencyTarn Taran
President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 May 1994
Member of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
In office
1996–2011
ConstituencyBassi Pathana
Personal details
Born (1945-05-20) 20 May 1945 (age 79)
Shimla, Punjab, British India
(present-day Himachal Pradesh, India)
Political partyShiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)
Other political
affiliations		Shiromani Akali Dal (until 1991)
SpouseGeetinder Kaur Mann
Children3 (Including Emaan Singh Mann)
Parent(s)Sardar Joginder Singh Mann and Sardarni Gurbachan Kaur
EducationB.A. (honours) (gold medalist)
Alma materGovt. College, Chandigarh
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionAgriculturist & Police Officer

Simranjit Singh Mann (born 20 May 1945)[1] is a former Indian Police Service officer and a former Member of the Parliament in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India, representing the constituency of Sangrur since 2022. He lost elections in 2024 and Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer became new member of parliament. He is the president of the political party Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar). Mann has served three-times as an MP; once from Taran Tarn between 1989 and 1991, and twice from Sangrur between 1999-2004 and since 2022.[2][3][4] He is a known Khalistani supporter and his party is known for their pro-Khalistan stances.[5][6][7]

Early life

[edit]

Simranjit Singh Mann was born in Shimla on 20 May 1945.[1] His father Joginder Singh Mann, was a speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 1967.[8]

Mann was educated at the Bishop Cotton School, Shimla and Government College Chandigarh. He was a gold medalist in the subjects of history, Punjabi language, religion and political science.[1]

Indian Police Service

[edit]

Mann joined the Indian Police Service in 1967, and served in the Punjab Cadre of the Service.[1]

He served as Aide-de-camp (ADC) to the Governor of Punjab. He was also posted as a police officer in several districts.[9] He served in several positions, including ASP Ludhiana City, Addl. SP Ferozepur, SP Hoshiarpur, SSP Faridkot, AIG GRP Punjab-Patiala division, Deputy Director of Vigilance Bureau Chandigarh, Deputy Inspector General of Punjab Armed Police, and DIG (Group Commandant) of CISF, Bombay.[1]

He resigned from Indian Police Service on 18 June 1984 in protest of Operation Blue Star.[1][9] In July 1984 he was dismissed from IPS.[1][clarification needed]

Political career

[edit]

He was charged with the conspiracy to assassinate Indira Gandhi. He was arrested on 29 November 1984 and spent five years in Bhagalpur prison.[1]

He was elected as the president of the new party United Shiromani Akali Dal.[1]

Due to his 1984 Political involvements he won 1989 Lok sabha elections from Tarn Taran (Lok Sabha constituency) in absentia with their 6 other candidates on Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) ticket and 3 other candidates also won backed by them.[10] Afterwards he won 1999 Lok Sabha elections from Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency. He also won 1996, 2004 SGPC elections from Bassi Pathana.[10]

Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha

[edit]

1989–1991

[edit]

He was elected in absentia to the Lok Sabha representing the constituency of Tarn Taran by an overwhelming majority, and unconditionally released "in the interests of the State" in November 1989, with all charges dropped. By this time he had spent five years in prison.[11]

In 1990, Mann insisted on bearing his Kirpan (small sword) into the Parliament session, a religious rite in the Sikh Faith. The security regulations of the Parliament did not allow arms into the house. Accordingly, was denied entry into the Sansad Bhavan (Parliament house) with the weapon. Mann decided to not attend the Parliament.[12] He subsequently resigned his seat in protest.[13]

1999-2004

[edit]

On 3 November 1999, after Mann was elected to the Lok Sabha by winning in the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the Government of India and the Passport Office in Chandigarh to issue a passport to him.[14]

On 23 March 2004, Prakash Singh Badal accused Mann of running derogatory ads against him and indulging in character assassination.[15]

He contested for re-election in the 2004 Indian general election from Sangrur constituency but lost the election and came on third position.

He remained the president of the SAD (Amritsar) party for eighteen years. In the 2007 Punjab Legislative Assembly election SAD (Amritsar) contested on 60 seats. Radical organization Dal Khalsa (International) had supported candidates of SAD (Amritsar). Mann had contested from Dhanaula Assembly constituency and his son Emaan Singh Mann contested from Sirhind. All the 60 candidates including Mann lost the election with big margins. Most candidates of SAD (Amritsar) had lost their security deposit in the election. Mann offered to resign after his party's poor performance.[9]

2022-2024

[edit]

In the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election, he lost to Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Amargarh Assembly Constituency.[16]

In June 2022, he won the by-poll for the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency vacated by then MP, Bhagwant Mann, who went to become Chief Minister of Punjab, Mann won the election by a margin of 5,822 votes. During the election he campaigned for the release of Sikh prisoners.[17][18][19] His grandson was in-charge of his election campaign.[20]

In August 2022, he objected to President Droupadi Murmu being referred to as the name "Rashtrapati". He said, "I strongly believe Rashtrapati word is an insult to a woman President." His comments were expunged from the records of the parliament.[21] He asked for elections in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex religious body of Sikhs.[22]

He lost the Sangrur seat in 2024 General elections to Meet Hayer of Aam Aadmi Party.[23]

Political positions

[edit]

Khalistan

[edit]

Mann is a proponent of Sikh nation state Khalistan.[17] Under his leadership, his party SAD (A) continued its position of creating Khalistan as a buffer state between India and Pakistan. Under him, SAD (A) continued spreading the ideology of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.[1]

Every year his supporters gather in the sacred Golden Temple and raise pro-Khalistan slogans. He dedicated his 2022 Lok Sabha election victory to the Khalistan separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.[17][24]

On 20 March 2023, Mann's Twitter account was blocked in India. Mann had tweeted condemning the Punjab Police's operation against separatist leader Amritpal Singh and the arrest of his supporters.[25][26]

Bhagat Singh

[edit]

In 2007, Mann had called freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, a "petty terrorist". A lawsuit was filed against him, but the prosecution failed to prove its case and he was acquitted by the civil court in 2013. After his release, Mann said, "My acquittal has vindicated my words that Bhagat Singh was a terrorist and not a martyr."[27]

In 2015, he objected to naming the Chandigarh airport after Bhagat Singh and called him a terrorist. He had said, "Bhagat Singh is neither a martyr nor a national hero. He is a terrorist. We are against the naming of Chandigarh International airport as Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Airport."[28]

In 2022, he called Bhagat Singh "a terrorist" involved in "terror activities in pre-Independent India".[29] AAP leaders condemned the statement and asked him to apologize.[30][31] Residents of Khatkar Kalan, Bhagat Singh's native village protested near the Bhagat Singh Museum, shouted slogans of "Death to Simranjit Singh Mann", hit his effigy with shoes and burnt it.[32]

General Reginald Dyer

[edit]

In 1919, after General Reginald Dyer's Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Mann's maternal grandfather Arur Singh, then sarbarah (in-charge) of the Golden Temple had honoured General Dyer with a "siropa" at Akal Takht. Singh was a British government appointee. Arur Singh's act hurt Sikh psyche and is considered a "Black chapter" in Sikh history. In July 2022, Mann defended the act of his grandfather saying he did it to pacify Dyer's anger.[33]

Family

[edit]

Mann is married to Geetinder Kaur,[34] who is a sister of Preneet Kaur, the wife of former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh.[35] The couple have a son and two daughters.[1][36][37][12]

Electoral performance

[edit]
This section is transcluded from Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency. (edit | history)
1989 Indian general election: Tarn Taran
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 527,707 88.1
INC Ajit Singh Mann 47,290 7.9
Independent Jaltar Singh Mehlanwala 5,234 0.9
Majority 480,417 80.2
Turnout 599,322 63.6%
Registered electors 942,162
SAD(A) gain from SAD Swing
This section is transcluded from Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency. (edit | history)
General Election 1996: Sangrur
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SAD Surjit Singh Barnala 238,131 31.4
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 162,479 21.4
CPI(M) Chand Singh Chopra 156,770 20.7
INC Gurcharan Singh Dadhaboor 140,877 18.6
Majority 75,652 10.0
Turnout 757,827 71.6
SAD gain from INC Swing
This section is transcluded from Qila Raipur Assembly constituency. (edit | history)
Punjab Assembly election, 1997: Qila Raipur[38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SAD Parkash Singh Badal 38,532 44.74
CPI(M) Tarsem Jodhan 27500 31.93
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 15377 17.85
INC Jagdev Singh Jassowal 4716 5.48
Majority
Turnout 86125 71.54
Registered electors
SAD gain from CPI(M) Swing
This section is transcluded from Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency. (edit | history)
General Election 1998: Sangrur
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SAD Surjit Singh Barnala 297,393 39.8 Decrease8.40
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 215,228 28.8 Increase7.40
INC Gurcharan Singh Dadhaboor 187,711 25.1 Increase6.10
CPI(M) Chand Singh Chopra 35,380 4.7 Decrease16.00
Majority 82,165 11.0 Increase1.00
Turnout 7,47,116 66.4 Decrease5.20
SAD hold


General Election 1999: Sangrur
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 298,846 41.7 Increase12.90
SAD Surjit Singh Barnala 212,529 29.7 Increase0.90
CPI(M) Ajit Singh 190,824 26.6 Increase21.90
Independent Nirmal Singh 5,738 0.80 N/A
Majority 86,317 12.1 Increase1.10
Turnout 7,16,182 62.5 Decrease3.90
SAD(A) gain from SAD Swing


General Election 2004: Sangrur
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SAD Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa 286,828 34.2 Increase4.50
INC Arvind Khanna 259,551 31.0 N/A
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 216,898 25.9 Decrease
BSP Mangat Rai Bansal 38,215 4.6 N/A
Independent Sukhdev Singh Bari 14,289 1.7 N/A
Independent Mohamad Shamshad 8,872 1.1 N/A
Majority
Turnout =
SAD gain from SAD(A) Swing
This section is transcluded from Dhanaula Assembly constituency. (edit | history)
Assembly election, 2007: Dhanaula[39][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Kuldip Singh Bhathal 42,105
SAD Gobind Singh Longowal 38581
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 16303
Independent Rajwinder Kaur Rozzy Bhathal 5869
BSP Karnail Singh Dulet 3411
CPI(ML)L Labh Singh Aklia 1569
Turnout 107838
This section is transcluded from Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency. (edit | history)
General Election 2009: Sangrur
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Vijay Inder Singla 358,670 38.52
SAD Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa 3,17,798 34.13
LBP Balwant Singh Ramoowalia 115,012 12.35
BSP Mohmad. Jamil-Ur-Rehman 69,943 7.51
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 33,714 3.62
Majority 40,872 4.39
Turnout 931,200 74.41
INC gain from SAD Swing -14.06
This section is transcluded from Fatehgarh Sahib Assembly constituency. (edit | history)
Punjab Assembly election, 2012: Fatehgarh Sahib
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Kuljit Singh Nagra 58,205 46.65
SAD Prem Singh Chandumajra 33035 29.62
PPoP Didar Singh Bhatti 32065 28.75
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 3234 2.9
Independent Harbans Lal 2163 1.94
BSP Tarlochan Singh 1748 1.57
Majority 3538 3.17
Turnout 111529 84.45
Registered electors 149,715 [41]
INC win (new seat)
This section is transcluded from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency. (edit | history)
General Election 2014: Khadoor Sahib
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SAD Ranjit Singh Brahmpura 467,332 43.4 Decrease4.52
INC Harminder Singh Gill 3,66,763 35.2 Decrease10.83
AAP Baldeep Singh 1,66,763 12.25 New
SAD(A) Simranjeet Singh Mann 13,990 New
Margin of victory 1,00,569 Decrease0.22
Turnout 10,40,622 66.56 Decrease4.08
SAD hold Swing
This section is transcluded from Barnala Assembly constituency. (edit | history)
Assembly election, 2017: Barnala[42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
AAP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer 47,606 35.49
INC Kewal Singh Dhillon 45,174 33.67
SAD Surinder Pal Singh Sibia 31,111 23.19
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 5,061 3.77
BSP Paramjit Kaur 2,369 1.77
NOTA None of the above 889 0.66
Registered electors 171,962 [41]
AAP gain from INC
This section is transcluded from Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency. (edit | history)
General Election 2019: Sangrur
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
AAP Bhagwant Mann 413,561 37.40 Decrease11.07
INC Kewal Singh Dhillon 303,350 27.43 Increase9.93
SAD Parminder Singh Dhindsa 263,498 23.83 Decrease5.40
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 48,365 4.37
LIP Jasraj Singh Longia 20,087 1.82
NOTA None of the Above 6,490 0.59 Increase0.39
Majority 1,10,211 9.97 Decrease10.46
Turnout 11,07,256 72.40
AAP hold Swing Decrease10.5
This section is transcluded from Amargarh Assembly constituency. (edit | history)
Assembly Election, 2022: Amargarh
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
AAP Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra 44,523 34.28 Increase
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 38480 29.63 Increase
SAD Iqbal Singh Jhundan 26068 20.07 Decrease
INC Smit Singh[43] 16923 13.03 Decrease
PLC Sardar Ali 1342 1.03 New
NOTA None of the above 595 0.46 Decrease
Majority 6043 4.65 Decrease
Turnout 129868 77.95
Registered electors 165,909 [44]
AAP gain from INC
This section is transcluded from Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency. (edit | history)
2022 By-election: Sangrur[45]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 253,154 35.61 Increase31.24
AAP Gurmail Singh 247,332 34.79 Decrease2.61
INC Dalvir Singh Goldy 79,668 11.21 Decrease16.22
BJP Kewal Singh Dhillon 66,298 9.33 New
SAD Bibi Kamaldeep Kaur Rajoana 44,428 6.25 Decrease17.58
NOTA None of the Above 2471 0.35
Majority 6,245 0.88
Turnout 7,10,919 45.3% Decrease27.1
Registered electors 15,69,240 [46]
SAD(A) gain from AAP Swing Increase16.92


This section is transcluded from Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency. (edit | history)
General Election 2024: Sangrur
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
AAP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer 364,085 36.06 Increase1.27
INC Sukhpal Singh Khaira 1,91,525 18.97 Increase7.76
SAD(A) Simranjit Singh Mann 1,87,246 18.55 Decrease17.06
BJP Arvind Khanna 1,28,253 12.70 Increase3.37
SAD Iqbal Singh Jhundan 62,488 6.19 Decrease0.06
NOTA None of the Above 3,820 0.38 Increase0.03
Majority 1,72,560 Increase17.09 Increase16.21
Turnout 10,09,665
Registered electors 15,56,601
AAP gain from SAD(A) Swing Increase1.27

See also

[edit]
  1. Parkash Singh Badal
  2. Captain Amarinder Singh

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)". Akalidalamritsar.net. Archived from the original on 1 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Rediff on the NeT: The Rediff Election Interview/ Simranjit Singh Mann". Rediff News. 26 October 1999. Archived from the original on 21 February 2008.
  3. ^ "Sangrur Bypoll Results Live: AAP loses Bhagwant Mann's seat, SAD-A wins by 6,800 votes". Hindustan Times. 26 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022.
  4. ^ "AESL Chemistry Lecture Plans - Google Drive".
  5. ^ "Khalistan ideologue in police net". The Indian Express. 9 March 2006. Archived from the original on 20 February 2007.
  6. ^ "Pro-Khalistan slogans raised at Golden Temple". Thaindian.com. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009.
  7. ^ Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. "India: Whether members of the Akali Dal (Mann) / Akali Dal (Amritsar) party are harassed and arrested for participating in party gatherings, for publicly complaining about the treatment of Sikhs by Indian authorities or for calling for the creation of Khalistan (separate homeland for Sikhs); whether police regard members of the Akali Dal (Mann) party with suspicion and monitor them for signs of any links with terrorism (2005–2008) (15 April 2008, IND102547.E)". UNHCR. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012.
  8. ^ "Ace shooter & MP. Who is this?". Rediff News. Archived from the original on 8 March 2009.
  9. ^ a b c "Mann resigns from party after defeat in Punjab elections". PunjabNewsline.com. 1 March 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011.
  10. ^ a b Simranjit Singh Mann: Ex-cop who refuses to give up. "Simranjit Singh Mann: Ex-cop who refuses to give up".
  11. ^ "Book review: Stolen Years – A Memoir of Simranjit Singh Mann's Imprisonment". The Indian Express. 27 September 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015.
  12. ^ a b "It's from father to son in Punjab". Rediff News. 9 February 2002. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012.
  13. ^ Crossette, Barbara (29 December 1990). "Premier of India meets Sikh leader". New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022.
  14. ^ Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (15 April 2008). "India: Whether members of the Akali Dal (Mann) / Akali Dal (Amritsar) party are harassed and arrested for participating in party gatherings, for publicly complaining about the treatment of Sikhs by Indian authorities or for calling for the creation of Khalistan (separate homeland for Sikhs); whether police regard members of the Akali Dal (Mann) party with suspicion and monitor them for signs of any links with terrorism (2005-2008)". United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012.
  15. ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab". The Tribune (India). 23 March 2004. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Amargarh Election Results 2022 Live: Smit Singh Mann vs Jaswant Singh Gajjanamajra vs Ikabar Singh Jhoonda". Financialexpress. Archived from the original on 10 March 2022.
  17. ^ a b c "Simranjit Mann: Khalistan advocate back in Parliament after two decades". The Economic Times. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022.
  18. ^ The Hindu (26 June 2022). "With Sangrur bypoll win, Simranjit Singh Mann makes a comeback". Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Explained: 5 reasons why Simranjit Singh Mann defeated AAP in Sangrur, CM Bhagwant Mann's bastion". The Indian Express. 26 June 2022.
  20. ^ "Behind Simranjit Singh Mann's bypoll campaign, grandson born a year before he last won election". The Indian Express. 4 July 2022.
  21. ^ "MP Simranjit Singh Mann's objection to addressing Droupadi Murmu as 'Rashtrapati' expunged from records". Deccan Herald. 31 July 2022.
  22. ^ "SAD (A) holds protest to demand SGPC elections". Hindustan Times. 15 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Sangrur election results 2024 live updates: AAP's Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer wins". The Times of India. 4 June 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  24. ^ "Simranjit Singh Mann stokes row, dedicates Sangrur win to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale: Know about pro-Khalistan leader". Firstpost. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022.
  25. ^ "Sangrur MP's Twitter account withheld". Hindustan Times. 20 March 2023.
  26. ^ Menon, Aditya (20 March 2023). "Amritpal Singh Crackdown: Several Sikh Twitter Accounts Withheld on Govt Orders". TheQuint.
  27. ^ "SAD leader Mann acquitted in 65th sedition case". Hindustan Times. 11 June 2013. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022.
  28. ^ Ch, india today digital. "Akali Dal leader calls Bhagat Singh a terrorist". India Today. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022.
  29. ^ "AAP slams Simranjit Singh for calling Bhagat Singh a 'terrorist'". The Statesman. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022.
  30. ^ "Punjab: SAD leader Simranjit Singh Mann courts controversy with 'terrorist' remark on Bhagat Singh". Free Press Journal. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022.
  31. ^ "Punjab MP Walks Into Controversy Over Bhagat Singh "Terrorist" Comment". NDTV.com. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022.
  32. ^ "People of Bhagat Singh's native village Khatkar Kala shouted slogans of Murdabad by hitting the effigy of Simranjit Singh Mann with shoes & burnt the effigy near Bhagat Singh Museum". Twitter. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  33. ^ "Simranjit Singh Mann defends grandfather who honoured General Reginald Dyer". Tribuneindia News Service. 16 July 2022.
  34. ^ "Door-to-door canvassing by candidates' wives, women kin The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – mad". The Tribune (India). Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Mann's wife Geetinder Kaur Mann has been campaigning for the SAD (A) candidate
  35. ^ "Mandarins who rule Punjab". The Indian Express. 2 February 2003. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022.
  36. ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab". The Tribune (India). Archived from the original on 5 November 2008.
  37. ^ "SAD(Amritsar) leaders level serious allegations on Daljit Singh Bittu". PunjabNewsline.com. 30 November 2007. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  38. ^ "Punjab General Legislative Election 1997". Election Commission of India. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  39. ^ "Mann to contest from Dhanaula". The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  40. ^ "Punjab General Legislative Election 2007". Election Commission of India. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  41. ^ a b Chief Electoral Officer - Punjab. "Electors and Polling Stations - VS 2017" (PDF). Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  42. ^ Election Commission of India. "Punjab General Legislative Election 2017". Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  43. ^ "Punjab Elections 2022: Full list of Congress Candidates and their Constituencies". FE Online. No. The Financial Express (India). The Indian Express Group. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  44. ^ "Punjab General Legislative Election 2022". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  45. ^ "5-cornered contest for Sangrur Lok Sabha byelection". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  46. ^ "Election Commission of India". results.eci.gov.in. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
Lok Sabha
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Tarn Taran
1989 – 1991 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Sangrur
1999 – 2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Sangrur
2022 – Present 		Incumbent
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