Sukhbir Singh Badal Survives Second Attack in Two Years

Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal and former Punjab deputy chief minister, escaped an attack on Thursday near a gurdwara in Maharashtra's Nanded district. The incident marks the second reported attack on Badal in under two years.

What Happened

Badal was reportedly attacked by a Nihang individual with a kirpan while heading towards the langar hall at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, located on the outskirts of Nanded. He sustained an injury to his hand and was taken to Yashosai Hospital for medical attention. The attack occurred as Badal was paying respects at the gurdwara, accompanied by his wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who is also a Shiromani Akali Dal Member of Parliament.

Background

The recent event is reminiscent of an assassination attempt on Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in December 2024. During that incident, a former militant allegedly fired at Badal at close range. The shot missed Badal due to the intervention of a security volunteer, striking a wall instead. No injuries were reported in the Amritsar attack, and the assailant was apprehended.

At the time of the 2024 incident, Badal was serving a religious punishment, pronounced by Sikh clergy over decisions made during the Shiromani Akali Dal's 2007-2017 rule in Punjab. He was undertaking this penance as a sewadar, or volunteer, outside the Golden Temple, seated in a wheelchair and wearing a sewadar uniform.

Key Facts

• Sukhbir Singh Badal survived an attack on Thursday outside a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra.
• He sustained an injury to his hand and received treatment at Yashosai Hospital.
• This is the second reported attack on Badal in less than two years.
• In December 2024, Badal survived an assassination attempt at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
• During the Amritsar incident, a former militant fired at Badal, but the shot missed due to a security volunteer's intervention.
• Badal was serving a religious punishment at the Golden Temple during the 2024 attack.
• The Nanded gurdwara where the recent attack occurred is controlled by a Nihang samparday.
• Badal's wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, was present during the Nanded incident.