Sukhbir Singh Badal Injured in Attack at Mata Sahib Gurudwara in Nanded
Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal suffered a hand injury on Thursday after being attacked by an assailant at Mata Sahib Gurudwara in Nanded district.
Mr. Badal was visiting gurudwaras in the district as part of a two-day tour when the attack took place. According to the police, preliminary information indicated that the assailant, dressed in the attire of a Nihang Sikh, used a traditional dagger (kirpan) to carry out the attack. A police inspector who stepped in to shield the SAD chief also sustained injuries during the incident.
Nanded Superintendent of Police Abinash Kumar dismissed reports suggesting the involvement of multiple individuals, clarifying that only one accused person was involved. Nanded Collector Rahul Kardile confirmed that Mr. Badal sustained a minor injury to his hand, adding that his condition was stable and he was out of danger. Mr. Badal’s wife, Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, was present with him at the gurudwara when the attack occurred.
Sources identified the accused as Jaspal Singh, who worked as a court clerk and had served as a sevadar (volunteer) at Mata Sahib Gurudwara for the past two years. Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a comprehensive probe, directing police officials to determine the motive behind the assault. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Harsimrat Kaur Badal over the phone to inquire about Mr. Badal’s health.
The attack drew strong reactions from political leaders across party lines. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia termed the incident a direct attack on Punjab politics and urged the Central government to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to examine possible conspiracies. Leaders including Punjab Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon also condemned the violence, stating that places of worship must remain peaceful.
