Nanded (Maharashtra), Aug 13 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was injured after he was attacked by an assailant in Nihang attire at the Mata Sahib Kaur Gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded on Thursday.
The incident took place when Badal visited the Mata Sahib Gurdwara in the Hazur Sahib area on the outskirts of the city at around 11 a.m.
The Akali Dal chief was attacked by a Nihang armed with a kirpan, sources said, adding that the assailant has been taken into custody by the police.
The attacker, identified by local authorities as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, was detained on the spot. Maharashtra Police have launched an investigation to establish the primary motive behind the assault.
According to sources, the attacker allegedly attempted to stab Badal in the stomach. However, security personnel intervened in time and prevented the attacker from causing more serious injuries.
Inspector Santosh Kendre, who was deployed on special security duty, was also injured during the attack.
A video recorded after the incident showed Badal walking with a saffron cloth wrapped around his right hand.
He sustained minor injuries to his hand and shoulder and was taken to the Yashosai Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities said that his condition is stable and he is currently out of danger.
Earlier in the day, Badal had visited Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded along with his family. His wife and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal was present when the attack occurred.
This is not the first attack on the Akali Dal leader. On December 4, 2024, he survived an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. He escaped unharmed, while the gunman was quickly overpowered and arrested.
At the time, Badal was performing ‘sewadar’ duties at the Golden Temple after the Akal Takht had pronounced ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) on him and several other Akali Dal leaders for alleged mistakes committed during the party’s rule in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a full inquiry into the matter. He spoke directly with the Nanded Superintendent of Police to receive updates and personally contacted Badal via phone to inquire about his health.
Minister of State for Home Dr Pankaj Bhoyar reiterated that strict legal action will be taken against those involved. “The incident appears to have occurred while I was attending a party meeting in Bhandara. We will gather all official details regarding the incident, and strict legal action will be taken against those responsible,” he added.
Meanwhile, politicians all across the spectrum have condemned the attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi enquired about the well-being of Badal in a telephonic conversation with Badal’s wife and MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, sources said.
SAD Vice President and Member of Punjab Core Committee Sanjeev Talwar referred to the attack on Badal as “a direct attack on Sikhism” while chief spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler blamed “anti-Sikh forces” for repeated attempts to attack the party chief.
Bharatiya Janata Party’S (BJP) Punjab President Kewal Singh Dhillon condemned the attack on Badal and sought an impartial probe and action in accordance with the law.
Punjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also condemned the attack but also cited the feelings in the community over the desecration of the Sikh scriptures during the Akali Dal regime.
AAP Punjab Media in-charge Baltej Pannu said: “The attack attempt should be condemned in the strongest terms. There is no place for such violence at a religious institution, and the sanctity of Gurdwara Sahibs must be respected.”
At the same time, he added: “The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) also needs to understand the sentiments that continue to exist among the Sikh community over the ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) incidents of 2015. The Akali Dal formed governments five times by seeking votes in the name of the Panth, but during its government in power in the state, incidents of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib took place at several places in 2015.”
–IANS
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