Murderous Attack on SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal; PM Modi Calls to Enquire About His Condition

Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was subjected to a murderous attack in Nanded Sahib, Maharashtra, on Thursday. Badal suffered an injury to his hand and was taken to a private hospital, where his condition is reported to be stable.

The incident took place at around 2 pm when Sukhbir Singh Badal, along with his supporters and security personnel, had reached Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur in Nanded to pay obeisance. Taking advantage of the crowd inside the gurdwara, a Nihang Sikh carrying a weapon approached Badal and attacked him. A security guard accompanying Badal was also injured while trying to protect the leader.

The attacker has been identified as Nihang Jaspal Singh, who is a law graduate and works as a lawyer. He had been performing sewa at the gurdwara for the past one-and-a-half years and has no criminal record.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Modi called Harsimrat Badal and enquired about Sukhbir Badal’s health. Highly placed sources said that the Prime Minister spoke to Harsimrat in detail about the events that took place in Nanded and asked whether they required any assistance.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis ordered an investigation into the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded. The Nanded SP said that the attacker had been taken into custody.

Akal Takht Jathedar Gargaj condemned the attack on Sukhbir Badal at the gurdwara in Nanded. Jathedar Gargaj said that such an incident not only undermines the dignity and sanctity of gurdwaras but also damages the image of the entire Sikh community.

“From across the country and around the world, Sikh devotees come to gurdwaras to pay obeisance and offer prayers for the welfare of all humanity. It is extremely unfortunate that such an incident has taken place at such a sacred place,” he said.

“A true Sikh of the Guru can never attack another Sikh who has come to a gurdwara to pay obeisance. A person who commits such an act cannot be a Sikh,” he said.

Shiromani Akali Dal spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler appealed to people not to believe rumours.