Sukhbir Badal Attacked 2nd Time in 2 Years: SAD Alleges Conspiracy, Cong Chief says 'Anger Among Sikhs'

Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacked: A man in Nihang attire tried to attack SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded; he suffered a minor arm injury. SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler confirms he’s stable.

By North Desk Bureau

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal was attacked as he left Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra, after paying obeisance on Thursday, with a person dressed in Nihang attire attempting to assault him before being intercepted by his security personnel, SAD chief spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler said. The accused, Jaspal Singh has been arrested though police say that the motive behind the attack is still not clear.

Sukhbir Badal, son of late chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, was attacked with a kirpan, said sources. Sukhbir Badal’s wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal is Lok Sabha MP.

Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacked: Badal suffered a minor injury to his arm during the attempt and is undergoing treatment at a hospital, Kler said, adding that Badal is fully fine and “in chardi kala,” and urging people to disregard rumours about his condition circulating on the matter.

Since the incident occurred in Maharashtra, the investigation into the attacker’s identity and any conspiracy behind the attack will be carried out by Maharashtra Police, Kler said, adding that SAD would share details once police make them public.

Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacked: Second attack in 2 years

Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacked: Kler alleged the attack was part of a pattern of attacks on Panthic leaders, describing it as a conspiracy by forces opposed to the Panth. He drew a parallel to the December 2024 attack on Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where he was fired upon while performing sewa on Akal Takht’s orders, and thanked Waheguru and well-wishers for Badal’s safety.

‘Anger over sacrilege’

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Warring posted a tweet within minutes of the attack. He wrote: “Sikh Sangat have genuine anger over Behbal Kalan, Bargari sacrilege, the 2015 police firing, delayed justice in sacrilege cases and several other unresolved issues…”

PM enquires about Sukhbir’s health

Prime Minister Narendra Modi enquired about the health of Sukhbir Badal. The PM spoke to Badal’s wife and Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal over the phone and inquired about the SAD chief’s health, official sources said.

A Nihang — member of a martial order of Sikhs — attacked Badal with a kirpan (curved dagger) inside a gurdwara in Nanded. BJP and SAD have had political alliance in the past.

Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon said: “Violence has no place especially on the soil of our sacred Takhts.”

Sukhbir’s recent meeting with the PM had triggered talks of a possible tie-up between the two parties with state elections scheduled early next year though the BJP leaders in the region have rejected these claims.

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