Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Sukhbir Badal Attacked; UP Court Drops Muzaffarnagar Riot Case
This story is a roundup of several news events from India.
A leader named Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked at a Sikh place of worship called a gurdwara in Nanded.
A man dressed as a Nihang Sikh hurt his arm and shoulder, but his party says he is perfectly fine and out of danger.
It was the second time someone tried to attack him; earlier, someone fired at him at the Golden Temple in Amritsar but missed.
A court in Uttar Pradesh allowed a case about the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots to be withdrawn against 25 leaders.
Police in Jharkhand filed a case against 300 unknown people after student protests turned disruptive.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said people linked to the BJP performed a ritual to 'purify' the ground where he gave a speech, and the BJP denied any link.
There was also a clash between protesters from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, with police firing in the air.
These events show how many different things can happen in one news cycle.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked by a man dressed as a Nihang Sikh at Gurdwara Mata Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra, and suffered injuries to his arm and shoulder.
A Uttar Pradesh court approved the prosecution's request to withdraw a case linked to the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots against 25 BJP leaders and persons associated with Hindutva groups.
Jharkhand Police registered an FIR against 300 unidentified persons over disturbances and damage during student protesters' march to the state Assembly on Monday.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge alleged persons associated with the BJP performed a ritual to 'purify' the ground where he addressed a rally in Haldwani, Uttarakhand; the BJP denied association.
A clash erupted between protesters from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in Assam's Dhemaji district over an economic blockade, and Arunachal Pradesh Police fired in the air to control the mob on their side.
- Who
- Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, BJP leaders, student protesters, and communities in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
- What
- Badal was attacked at a gurdwara in Nanded; a UP court approved withdrawing a Muzaffarnagar riot case against 25 BJP-linked leaders; Jharkhand Police filed an FIR against 300 protesters; Kharge alleged a 'purification' ritual; and Assam-Arunachal protesters clashed.
- When
- The Badal attack's date is not specified; his previous attack was on December 4, 2024; the UP court ruling came on Wednesday; the Jharkhand march was on Monday; Kharge spoke on Thursday after his August 8 rally.
- Where
- Nanded (Maharashtra), the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Uttar Pradesh, Ranchi (Jharkhand), Haldwani (Uttarakhand) and Dhemaji district (Assam).
- Why
- The attack motive is unclear; the riot case stems from September 2013 communal violence; the FIR follows protests over alleged exam irregularities; the ritual allegation follows Kharge's rally; the border clash follows a blockade over alleged land encroachment.
Critics and Opposition
Authorities and Ruling Party
Withdrawal of Muzaffarnagar riot case
Critics and Opposition
Critics note the 2013 riots killed at least 60 people and displaced thousands of Muslim families, and argue the accused BJP leaders and Hindutva figures who allegedly made inflammatory speeches should still face trial.
Authorities and Ruling Party
The prosecution requested withdrawal of the case concerning violations of orders prohibiting public gatherings and inciting communal tensions, and the court approved it on Wednesday.
Purification ritual after Kharge rally
Critics and Opposition
Congress says the Shri Ram Sena is associated with the BJP and demands that those who performed the ritual be arrested.
Authorities and Ruling Party
The BJP denies any association with the group; Union minister JP Nadda said the party 'does not subscribe to such activities' and the incident will be investigated.
Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border dispute
Critics and Opposition
Assam's Mising community and local groups imposed an economic blockade after 12 Assam residents were allegedly injured by firing from 'miscreants' from Arunachal Pradesh on Monday.
Authorities and Ruling Party
Arunachal Pradesh Police fired in the air to control the mob on their side during the clash in Dhemaji district, which erupted over a dispute about alleged land encroachment by people from Arunachal Pradesh.
- Sukhbir Badal's Status
- Injured in arm and shoulder; SAD says he is 'perfectly fine' and out of danger
- Attack Location
- Gurdwara Mata Sahib, Nanded district, Maharashtra
- Previous Attack on Badal
- December 4, 2024, at the Golden Temple, Amritsar; Narain Singh Chaura fired but missed
- Muzaffarnagar Riot Case
- Withdrawal approved against 25 BJP leaders and Hindutva group figures from the September 2013 riots
- Muzaffarnagar Riots Toll
- At least 60 killed; thousands of Muslim families displaced
- Jharkhand Protests
- FIR against 300 unidentified persons over the march to the state Assembly on Monday
- Kharge Rally
- Addressed rally in Haldwani, Uttarakhand on August 8; 'purification' ritual performed by Shri Ram Sena
- Assam-Arunachal Clash
- Dhemaji district, Assam; economic blockade after 12 Assam residents injured by alleged firing on Monday