Archive · 13 Aug 2026
PM Modi Inquires About Sukhbir Badal's Health After Nanded Attack
A very important political leader in India named Sukhbir Singh Badal was hurt when someone attacked him at a holy Sikh place called a gurdwara.
The person who attacked him was dressed like a Nihang, a special group of Sikh warriors, and used a curved knife called a kirpan.
The attack happened in the morning in a city called Nanded, in Maharashtra state.
Badal hurt his right arm and was quickly taken to a private hospital for treatment.
The people at the hospital said he is safe and getting better.
One police officer who was protecting him was also hurt.
The police caught one person who they think did the attack.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, called Badal's wife to ask how he was feeling.
The leader of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, asked the police to investigate what happened.
Some of Badal's party friends said they believe bad people planned the attack to hurt Sikhs, but people are still trying to find out the real reason.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), was attacked with a kirpan by a man dressed as a Nihang at Mata Sahib Gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Badal's wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, to inquire about the SAD chief's health.
Badal suffered an injury to his right arm and was taken to a private hospital in Nanded; his condition was reported stable and not life-threatening.
Inspector Santosh Kendre, from Badal's security detail, was also injured, and police detained the alleged attacker, identified in one report as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry, while SAD leaders called the attack 'a direct attack on Sikhism' and blamed 'anti-Sikh forces.'
- Who
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), was attacked; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded.
- What
- Badal was attacked with a kirpan by a man dressed as a Nihang at a gurdwara, suffering an injury to his right arm; the alleged attacker was detained and an inquiry was ordered.
- When
- Thursday, August 13, around 11 a.m.
- Where
- Mata Sahib Gurdwara in the Hazur Sahib area on the outskirts of Nanded, Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- The motive is under investigation; SAD leaders alleged a conspiracy by 'anti-Sikh forces,' and Fadnavis directed authorities to investigate the motive behind the attack.
Conspiracy Allegations
Ongoing Investigation
Responsibility for the Attack
Conspiracy Allegations
SAD leaders called the attack 'a direct attack on Sikhism,' with SAD Vice President Sanjeev Talwar alleging a conspiracy by those who want to take Punjab back to 1984, and the party's chief spokesperson blaming 'anti-Sikh forces.'
Ongoing Investigation
Maharashtra Police are investigating the incident; Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry and directed authorities to investigate the motive, with details about the attacker and his motive still awaited.
Political Context
Conspiracy Allegations
Badal's meeting with PM Modi on August 7, after which he announced SAD's support for the Centre's proposed Delimitation Bill, fuelled speculation about the party rejoining the BJP-led NDA ahead of the Punjab assembly elections.
Ongoing Investigation
SAD left the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2020 over the farm laws issue, and none of the reports confirm any official alliance decision.
- Victim
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Deputy CM of Punjab
- Location
- Mata Sahib Gurdwara, Hazur Sahib area, Nanded, Maharashtra
- Time of attack
- Around 11 a.m. on August 13
- Weapon
- Kirpan (curved dagger)
- Attacker
- Man in Nihang attire, detained by police; one report identifies him as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh
- Injury
- Right arm; treated at a private hospital; condition stable and injuries not life-threatening
- Previous incident
- A 2024 attempt to assassinate Badal while he was serving penance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar
- Probe ordered
- By Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who sought details from the Nanded Superintendent of Police
Sources
PM Modi inquires about Sukhbir Badal’s health after Nanded Gurudwara attack
PM Modi Dails Sukhbir Singh Badal’s Wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Inquires About His Health After Nanded Attack
PM inquires about health of Sukhbir Badal after attack on SAD chief
