Chandigarh: Assassination Attempt on Sukhbir Singh Badal at Golden Temple
An assassination attempt was made on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal this morning while he was engaged in his penance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The assailant fired a gunshot at Badal, but was swiftly subdued by those nearby. The shooter has been arrested, and authorities are working to uncover the motive behind the attack.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, 62, former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, has been carrying out a religious penance, or ‘sewadar’ duty, as prescribed by the Akal Takht for actions taken during the SAD’s rule from 2007 to 2017. His penance involved tasks like cleaning shoes and washing dishes at the Golden Temple and other gurdwaras. Despite being in a wheelchair due to a leg injury and wearing a cast, Badal has been performing his duties in a blue ‘sewadar’ uniform, sitting at the gate of the Golden Temple with a spear.
The shooting took place around 9 am today, shortly after Badal took his position. The assailant, identified as Narain Singh from Gurdaspur, approached Badal and fired a shot, but the bullet missed its target and struck the wall. A nearby person intervened immediately, preventing further harm. The police swiftly arrested Narain Singh, and investigations are now underway to determine his motive.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar commended the quick response from police officers and confirmed that Narain Singh has a criminal history. He is believed to have ties with the Khalistani militant group Babbar Khalsa and is suspected of involvement in the 2004 Burail jailbreak, where several prisoners, including Babbar Khalsa leader Jagtar Singh Hawara, escaped from jail.
Sukhbir Badal had recently admitted to his past mistakes before the Akal Takht, including his controversial decision to pardon Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a blasphemy case in 2007, which led to his penance.
Political reactions poured in after the attack. Former SAD MP Naresh Gujral condemned the incident, emphasizing that it highlighted the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab. BJP leader Vijay Sampla condemned the attack as an assault not just on Badal but also on the sanctity of the Golden Temple. Congress MP Manish Tewari also denounced the attack, calling it tragic and stressing the need for a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Aman Arora downplayed the opposition’s criticism, labeling the incident as an isolated one. He acknowledged the swift actions of the Punjab Police and suggested that the opposition should reflect on the circumstances that led to Sukhbir Badal’s need to perform these penance duties.
