An assassination attempt was made on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal this morning while he was performing his penance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Badal, 62, a former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, was carrying out ‘sewadar’ duties as part of a religious penance after being sentenced by the Akal Takht for alleged mistakes committed during the Akali Dal’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017. The incident occurred around 9 am, shortly after Badal took his place at the Golden Temple gate. A man identified as Narain Singh from Gurdaspur district approached Badal and opened fire. However, the bullet missed its target, striking the wall instead, as a bystander was quick to restrain the shooter.
The shooter, Narain Singh, was promptly apprehended by people present at the scene. The police later revealed that Singh had a criminal background and was linked to the Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa. Singh is reportedly the mastermind behind the 2004 Burail jailbreak, where four prisoners, including Babbar Khalsa leader Jagtar Singh Hawara, escaped from prison. The police have launched an investigation into the motive behind this shocking attack. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar praised the quick response of officers Rishpal Singh, Jasbir, and Parminder Singh, who helped foil the attempt. Bhullar also appealed for peace and confirmed that Narain Singh’s criminal history was under investigation.
The attack comes just days after Badal admitted his past mistakes before the Akal Takht, including pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case. The Akal Takht had imposed the ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) on Badal, requiring him to serve as a sewadar, wash dishes, and clean shoes at the Golden Temple and other gurdwaras.
The incident has sparked political reactions, with former SAD MP Naresh Gujral expressing concern about the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab. Gujral criticized the state government, claiming that criminals are operating freely. BJP leader Vijay Sampla condemned the attack, emphasizing that an assault on a sewadar is an attack on the Golden Temple itself. Congress MP Manish Tewari also condemned the incident, acknowledging the divine protection that spared Badal from harm.
Aman Arora, from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, downplayed the significance of the attack, stating that the police had been alert and effectively handled the situation. He also dismissed the opposition’s criticism, suggesting that the Akalis should reflect on their own actions during their tenure in power.
