The attack on Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in Maharashtra’s Nanded on Thursday drew widespread condemnation, with leaders from different political parties denouncing the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi enquired about the health of Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in a phone conversation with his wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Badal, a former Punjab deputy chief minister, was attacked near Takht Sri Hazur Sahib and was subsequently hospitalised, Nanded police said. He was accompanied by his wife and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal when the incident took place.
A Nihang (member of a martial order of Sikhs) attacked former Punjab deputy chief minister Badal with a kirpan (curved dagger) inside the gurdwara, Nanded SP Neelabh Rohan told PTI.
The assailant has been taken into custody, the IPS officer said.
On August 7, Badal had met the prime minister in New Delhi, igniting speculation about the possibility of the Punjab-based party joining hands with the BJP again ahead of the Punjab assembly elections.
SAD left the NDA six years ago over the farm laws issue.
SAD was one of the oldest constituents of the NDA with more than 20 years of association when it left the alliance in 2020 over the three agriculture laws, which were later withdrawn by the Modi government.
Meanwhile, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Virsa Singh Valtoha denounced the attack and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“There should be a thorough probe. Who are the forces behind such attack..,” Valtoha said.
In response to the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry into the motive behind the attack and sought a report from the Nanded Superintendent of Police.
The Chief Minister’s Office said Fadnavis also spoke to Badal over the phone to enquire about his health and was informed that his condition was stable.
BJP spokesperson RP Singh also condemned the incident, describing it as “completely unacceptable” and stressing that violence has no place in a democratic society.
In a post on X, he wrote, "Punjab and the Punjabi community have already suffered immensely during the dark and painful years of violence and militancy. Generations of Punjabis have borne the deep scars left by that period. We cannot, under any circumstances, allow those dark days to return. Peace, brotherhood, constitutional values and the rule of law must always prevail.
I pray for the good health, safety and speedy recovery of S Sukhbir Singh Badal Ji."
Senior BJP leader and former minister of state for railways Ravneet Singh Bittu wrote on X, "The cowardly attempt on Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal Ji’s life is deeply condemnable and a direct threat to Punjab’s peace and security. Violence and intimidation have no place in our holy shrines. The perpetrators must be exposed and punished, and those responsible for the security lapse must be held accountable. Sikhism stands for seva, courage and peace—not violence.’’
SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kaler urged people not to believe rumours, saying Badal had sustained an injury to his right forearm and was out of danger. “I would urge party workers not to panic and not believe in rumours,” he said.
Meanwhile, senior SAD leader Daljit Cheema demanded a high-level independent inquiry into the incident.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj also condemned the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Sikh devotees from across the country and the world visit gurdwaras to pay obeisance and pray for the welfare of all. "Unfortunately, such an incident has taken place at such a sacred place. A person who commits such an act cannot be a Sikh," he said.
In a statement, Jathedar (high priest) Gargajj said Badal, along with his family, visited Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib, Nanded, as Sikh devotees to pay obeisance at the Sikh shrines. He said the Singh Sahibs and management of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib had accorded him due honour and respect earlier in the day, but the attack on him by a mischievous person inside the Gurdwara complex was highly condemnable.
He said such an incident not only undermines the dignity and sanctity of gurdwaras but also causes serious damage to the image of the Sikh community. The Jathedar said a true Sikh of the Guru could never attack any Sikh who had come to a gurdwara to pay obeisance.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve also denounced the Nanded incident, and demanded a thorough probe into the incident.
In a post on X, Pawar said the attack on Badal brought shame to Maharashtra and tarnished the BJP-led government's image.
"The cowardly attack on senior Akali Dal leader and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded is strongly condemned. I pray for Badal's speedy recovery," Pawar said.
"An attack on a leader like Badal in Nanded is something that makes Maharashtra hang its head in shame and puts the government's reputation at stake. The real faces of the attacker and those behind the incident should come to light and they should be given strict punishment," he said.
Danve, a former leader of opposition in the Maharashtra legislative council, also demanded a thorough investigation.
"I strongly condemn the attack on former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded. Although the person who carried out the attack has been taken into custody, the police should thoroughly investigate the matter," he said.