Sukhbir Badal Speaks After Nanded Gurdwara Attack, Says ‘A Lot Of Forces Do Not Want Peace’
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday said he was “feeling perfect” a day after he was injured in a kirpan attack inside a gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded.
With his right hand in a cast, the 64-year-old SAD leader spoke to reporters after receiving treatment at a hospital. Badal said there was no reason to be concerned about his health but alleged that forces were working against peace in Punjab and the country.
“I am feeling perfect. See a lot of forces do not want peace in Punjab and this country. They feel Shiromani Akali Dal is a hindrance to their mission,” Badal said.
Sukhbir Badal Attacked Inside Nanded Gurdwara
The attack took place around 1.45 pm on Thursday at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat in Nanded, according to Nanded Superintendent of Police Neelabh Rohan.
Badal was reportedly climbing down the steps inside the gurdwara when a Nihang Sikh allegedly attacked him with a kirpan.
Badal suffered a minor injury to his right hand and was taken to hospital, where he received two to three stitches. He was later stated to be out of danger.
Who Is The Accused?
Police have identified the accused as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, a native of Pune.
Singh had reportedly worked as a lawyer in a Pune court and had been serving at the Mata Sahib Gurdwara in Mugat, near Nanded, for the past two years.
He was detained at the spot and is being questioned by police to establish the motive behind the attack.
During questioning, Singh reportedly told police, “Just felt like doing this.”
Badal Targeted In 2024 Too
The Nanded attack is not the first time Badal has been targeted.
In December 2024, former Babbar Khalsa International militant Narain Singh Chaura allegedly opened fire at Badal near the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The attacker was overpowered by people at the spot and handed over to police.
At the time, Badal was performing sewadar duty at the temple entrance after the Akal Takht pronounced a tankhah, or religious punishment, against him over alleged mistakes during the SAD government’s tenure in Punjab.
