Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Sukhbir Badal Expands Save Punjab Campaign, Warns of Unrest
Sukhbir Singh Badal is the leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal, a political party in Punjab.
He asked people to help “Save Punjab” from forces he says want to create trouble.
Badal said these forces are pretending to be devoted Sikhs and want to bring back the violence of the 1980s.
He said they are also trying to weaken his party.
Badal promised that SAD would work for peace, brotherhood, religious respect, and prosperity.
He accused several political and religious figures of helping or encouraging these efforts.
The people he criticized were not quoted responding in the articles.
His comments came shortly after he was attacked with a dagger at a gurdwara in Nanded, although he and an accompanying police officer were reported out of danger.
Sukhbir Singh Badal urged people to “Save Punjab” during statements in Bathinda and Malout.
Badal alleged that forces posing as devout Sikhs are targeting Sikh and Punjab leadership and seeking to revive unrest.
He claimed the forces aim to weaken the Shiromani Akali Dal and disturb Punjab’s peace, law and order, and social fabric.
Badal said he was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice and described SAD as a 105-year-old organisation committed to Punjab and communal harmony.
His remarks followed an August 13 dagger attack in Nanded that wounded Badal and police officer Santosh Kele; both were reported stable.
- Who
- Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, the SAD, and people and political figures whom Badal accused of threatening Punjab’s peace.
- What
- Badal launched the second phase of SAD’s Punjab Bachao campaign and issued calls to save Punjab, alleging that forces are targeting Sikh leadership, SAD, and communal harmony.
- When
- Badal made the first statement on Tuesday and launched the campaign phase on Wednesday; the remarks followed the August 13 Nanded attack.
- Where
- The statements were made in Bathinda and at a public meeting in Malout, Punjab; the attack occurred at Gurudwara Mata Sahib Devaji in Nanded district, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Badal said the alleged forces aim to disrupt peace, revive the troubled period of the 1980s, weaken SAD, and damage Punjab’s law and order and social fabric.
Badal’s allegations
Positions reported by critics or accused figures
Who is threatening Punjab’s peace?
Badal’s allegations
Badal said forces that do not consider Punjab their home, and forces that he linked to the 1980s unrest, have become active again while presenting themselves as devout Sikhs.
Positions reported by critics or accused figures
The articles do not include responses from the people or organisations Badal accused, so their positions are not established.
Role of the Shiromani Akali Dal
Badal’s allegations
Badal said SAD is a historic organisation that protects Punjab, the Khalsa Panth, peace, and communal harmony, and that efforts are underway to eliminate the party.
Positions reported by critics or accused figures
Badal alleged that unnamed agencies and Delhi-based parties are seeking to finish off SAD; the articles provide no direct response from those alleged parties.
Amritpal Singh and Bhagwant Mann
Badal’s allegations
Badal accused Amritpal Singh of wanting to return Punjab to the 1980s and criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over alleged conduct and political inaction.
Positions reported by critics or accused figures
The articles do not provide replies from Amritpal Singh or Bhagwant Mann to these allegations.
- Speaker
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal
- Campaign
- Second phase of the Punjab Bachao campaign
- Main message
- “Save Punjab”
- Alleged objective
- Badal said unnamed forces want to disrupt peace, revive unrest, and weaken Punjab’s regional leadership and SAD.
- SAD history
- Badal described SAD as a 105-year-old organisation dedicated to the Khalsa Panth and Punjab’s welfare.
- Nanded attack
- Badal was attacked with a dagger at Gurudwara Mata Sahib Devaji on August 13.
- Reported injuries
- Badal suffered a four-to-five-centimetre wound on his right forearm; police officer Santosh Kele was also injured.
- Reported condition
- Badal and Santosh Kele were reported stable and out of danger.
