Virsa Singh Valtoha

Virsa Singh Valtoha is a former SIkh militant and Indian politician belonging to Shiromani Akali Dal party. He is a former member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly who represented Khem Karan.

Family and early life His father's name is Sohan Singh. Virsa Singh Valtoha's son's name is Mr. Gauravdeep Singh, who is advocate at Punjab And Haryana High Court. He is also the president of SOI (Student Organization Of India) from Majha Zone (Punjab). Valtoha received training in being a granthi, but chose to pursue higher education instead. In 1981 Valtoha was unable to pass first year English examination for his bachelor of arts. Valtoha joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist) youth-wing out of frustration, but in 1982 he left and joined the All India Sikh Student Federation instead.

Militancy After joining the AISSF Valtoha came in contact with Kewal Singh, cousin of AISSF president Amrik Singh, who took him to the Golden Temple. According to Valtoha he began to routinely visit the Temple and grew closer to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He would engage in volunteer work for the AISSF. but Valtoha would not shoot. On hearing Valotha did not fire Bhindwale who "...was otherwise in a very happy mood, felt a little annoyed with me (Valtoha)." Bhindranwale was greatly pleased with this and forgave Valtoha of his past discretions. Valtoha was elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly from the Valtoha constituency in 2007. During the 2012 Punjab election, Valtoha constituency underwent boundary delimitation. Valtoha then successfully contested the Punjab Assembly seat from Khem Karan. Valtoha served as an MLA from 2007-2017 and a chief parliamentary secretary from 2012-2017. He was a member of the Akali Dal top-decision making body.

Controversies For using casteist remark Valtoha has been accused of insulting dalits (a historically discriminated community of lower caste people placed at the end of the caste pyramid, who constitute 36% of the states population in India), by a member of an opposition party in the legislature. Due to a casteist slur by Virsa Singh Valtoha, former Ravidassia M.L.A. Tarlochan Singh Soondh hurled a shoe towards Valtoha in the Punjab State Legislative Assembly

Giani Harpreet Singh also accused Virsa Singh Valtoha of issuing threats to his family, abducting his daughter, and raising caste remarks against him for being a Dalit Sikh.

Electricity theft by Valtoha family In March 2020, Virsa Singh Valtoha was fined ₹1.9 lakh for electricity theft at his residence in Amarkot, near Tarn Taran, Punjab. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) conducted a raid and discovered that Valtoha's property was illegally drawing power. The sanctioned load was 4.85 kW, but the actual consumption was 11 kW, with unauthorized connections bypassing the meter. Additionally, the team found wires connected directly from a transformer, indicating deliberate power theft.

Claiming B. R. Ambedkar Fanned Casteism During a TV discussion in 2016, Valtoha accused Dr. B. R. Ambedkar of promoting casteism by advocating reservations. This remark drew sharp backlash from the AAP, which demanded legal action and later saw public protests in Tarn Taran, including effigy burning.

Threats to Officials - Video Goes Viral In 2017, a video circulated showing Valtoha allegedly threatening Tarn Taran’s Deputy Commissioner (DC) and police officers. He warned them against harassing Akali workers, stating he had taken note of names and would act accordingly. The Congress condemned the act as intimidation of officials.

Electoral performance