Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Akali Dal Links Sukhbir Badal Attack to Longowal Legacy
The Shiromani Akali Dal is planning a political event in Longowal on August 20.
The event will remember Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, who was killed in 1985.
Longowal had signed an agreement with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to try to solve Punjab’s crisis through talks.
Sukhbir Singh Badal recently survived an attack at a gurdwara in Nanded.
Akali leaders say both incidents show that moderate Sikh leaders have faced serious threats.
They want to say that political disagreements should not become violence.
The party also wants to present itself as the defender of negotiation and constitutional politics.
This message may help it shift attention from its recent political and organisational difficulties.
The Shiromani Akali Dal plans to foreground the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal at its August 20 programme in Longowal.
The event will mark the 41st death anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal.
Akali leaders describe the August 13 attack at a Nanded gurdwara as an attack on moderate Sikh leadership.
The party is drawing a parallel between Longowal’s 1985 assassination and the attack on Sukhbir Badal.
The narrative comes as the Akali Dal faces electoral setbacks, organisational challenges and rival faction programmes.
- Who
- The Shiromani Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Sant Harchand Singh Longowal and other Akali leaders.
- What
- The Akali Dal is using the attack on Sukhbir Badal to build a political narrative about threats to moderate Sikh leadership.
- When
- The attack occurred on August 13, and the party’s Longowal programme is scheduled for August 20; Longowal was assassinated in 1985.
- Where
- The attack took place at a gurdwara in Nanded, while the planned anniversary programme will take place in Longowal village in Sangrur.
- Why
- The party aims to highlight the importance of moderate Sikh politics and redirect attention from its electoral and organisational challenges.
- Party
- Shiromani Akali Dal
- Party president
- Sukhbir Singh Badal
- Planned event
- August 20 programme in Longowal village
- Anniversary
- 41st death anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal
- Attack date
- August 13
- Attack location
- A gurdwara in Nanded
- Historical event
- Longowal was assassinated in 1985 after signing the Punjab Accord with then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi