Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Sukhbir Badal attacked at Nanded gurdwara amid Panthic anger
A very important Sikh politician named Sukhbir Singh Badal got hurt when someone attacked him at a holy temple called a gurdwara.
He is the leader of a political party in the Indian state of Punjab called the Shiromani Akali Dal.
The attack happened in the city of Nanded in the state of Maharashtra.
Sukhbir was not badly hurt — he got a small injury on his arm.
This is the second time someone has tried to attack him.
Last year, someone shot at him at the famous Golden Temple, but he was saved.
Many Sikh people are angry with his party because when it was in power, holy books were damaged and police fired at people who protested, and two people died.
Some leaders say violence is never okay.
Other leaders say the people's anger is real and the party should understand that.
Everyone is asking for a fair investigation so that this does not happen again.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), was attacked at Gurdwara Mata Saheb in Nanded, Maharashtra, sustaining a minor arm injury.
It is the second attack on Badal in two years; in December 2024 he was shot at while performing sewa at the Golden Temple after the Akal Takht declared him "tankhaiya".
The attack comes amid Panthic anger over the 2015 Bargari sacrilege and police firing at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura during the SAD-BJP government's 2007-17 tenure.
SAD leaders alleged "anti-Panthic forces" were behind the attack and demanded a thorough CBI inquiry.
AAP and Congress leaders condemned the attack but noted the genuine anger among the Sikh community over unresolved sacrilege issues.
- Who
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)
- What
- Was attacked and injured at a Sikh gurdwara — the second attack on him in two years
- When
- On Thursday; the previous attack occurred in December 2024
- Where
- Gurdwara Mata Saheb in Nanded, Maharashtra
- Why
- Amid long-standing Panthic (Sikh religious) anger over the 2015 sacrilege incidents and police firing during the SAD-BJP government's 2007-17 tenure; SAD leaders allege "anti-Panthic forces" were behind it
Critics of the Akali Dal
The Akali Dal and its allies
Cause of the attack
Critics of the Akali Dal
The attack reflects genuine anger among the Sikh community over the 2015 Bargari sacrilege and police firing at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura, which the SAD mishandled while in power; the party needs to understand this aspect.
The Akali Dal and its allies
The attack was carried out by "anti-Panthic forces" seeking to suppress the moderate Akali leadership in Punjab, which speaks about communal harmony.
Response to the attack
Critics of the Akali Dal
The attack is condemnable and political anger cannot justify violence, but the disappointment over delayed justice in sacrilege cases is genuine; justice must come through accountability and democracy.
The Akali Dal and its allies
Violence has no place, especially at sacred Takhts, and a thorough CBI inquiry is needed to prevent any further assassination bid on the Akali leadership.
- Person attacked
- Sukhbir Singh Badal
- Position
- President, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)
- Location of attack
- Gurdwara Mata Saheb, Nanded, Maharashtra
- Injury
- Minor injury to arm; treated at a private hospital
- Previous attack
- December 2024 at the Golden Temple, Amritsar
- Religious status
- Declared "tankhaiya" (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht
- Background grievances
- 2015 Bargari sacrilege; police firing at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura in which two people were killed
- Current political standing
- SAD has one MLA and one MP