2 weeks ago
Badal alleges anti-peace forces targeting him after kirpan attack
A man named Sukhbir Singh Badal is an important leader of a Sikh political party in India called the Shiromani Akali Dal, and he used to be a top leader of a state called Punjab.
One day, while he was inside a Sikh temple called a gurdwara, another person hurt him with a sharp weapon called a kirpan.
The attacker's name is Jaspal Singh.
Badal got hurt on his hand and had to go to the hospital, where doctors took care of him.
The police caught the attacker, and a judge sent him to police custody for a while.
When Badal came out of the hospital, he said he believes some people do not want peace in Punjab or in the country.
He said these people see his political party as an obstacle to their plans and want to cause trouble between communities and religions.
He recalled that someone had also tried to hurt him at the Golden Temple, another very holy Sikh place, before.
A brave police officer named Santosh Kendre was also hurt while protecting Badal from the attacker.
Badal said he is not afraid and will keep working for peace and brotherhood.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president and former Punjab deputy chief minister, was attacked with a 'kirpan' (ceremonial dagger) by Jaspal Singh, a member of the Nihang order, inside Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat on the outskirts of Nanded city on Thursday.
Badal was treated at a local hospital; Article 4 says he received two to three stitches on his right hand, while other reports say he underwent surgery, and he was discharged on Friday at around 1:30 pm.
Badal alleged that forces opposed to peace consider the Shiromani Akali Dal a hindrance to their mission and are targeting him and the party to disturb communal and religious harmony in Punjab and the country.
Badal noted he has been targeted at two of Sikhism's holiest shrines: the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where he survived an assassination attempt in December 2024, and the gurdwara in Nanded.
The accused was remanded in police custody till August 24 by a Nanded district court; police say they have yet to establish a motive, and Inspector Santosh Kendre of the Maharashtra Police's Special Protection Unit was also injured while intervening.
- Who
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and former Punjab deputy chief minister, aged 64; the alleged attacker is Jaspal Singh, a member of the Nihang order.
- What
- Badal was attacked with a 'kirpan' inside Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat, was treated at a local hospital, and after discharge alleged that anti-peace forces are targeting him and the SAD to destabilise Punjab.
- Where
- Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat (Mata Saheb Gurdwara complex in the Hazur Sahib area), on the outskirts of Nanded city, Maharashtra.
- When
- The attack happened on Thursday afternoon; Badal was discharged from hospital on Friday around 1:30 pm and spoke to reporters.
- Why
- Badal alleges anti-peace forces see the SAD as a hindrance and want to disturb communal and religious harmony in Punjab and the country; police say they have yet to find out why Jaspal Singh attacked him.
Badal's account
Police / official account
Motive for the attack
Badal's account
Badal claims forces opposed to peace targeted him and the SAD to disturb communal and religious harmony in Punjab and the country, and that the party is seen as a hindrance to their mission.
Police / official account
Police have arrested the alleged attacker, Jaspal Singh, but say they have yet to find out why he attacked Badal.
Link between the two attacks
Badal's account
Badal says he has been attacked at two of Sikhism's holiest shrines - the Golden Temple in December 2024 and the gurdwara in Nanded - indicating coordinated targeting of him and his party.
Police / official account
Police investigations have so far not established any motive or connection behind the latest attack.
Key facts
- Person
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president and former Punjab deputy chief minister, aged 64
- Incident
- Attack with a 'kirpan' inside Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat, Nanded
- Timing
- Attack on Thursday afternoon; discharged Friday at 1:30 pm
- Treatment
- Two to three stitches on right hand at a local hospital; some reports described surgery
- Attacker
- Jaspal Singh, Nihang order member; remanded in police custody till August 24
- Injured officer
- Inspector Santosh Kendre, Maharashtra Police Special Protection Unit
- Previous incident
- December 2024 assassination attempt at the Golden Temple, Amritsar
- Investigation status
- Motive not yet established; police investigation ongoing
Quotes
Sukhbir Singh Badal
President of the Shiromani Akali Dal
““I salute Inspector Santosh Vaijnath Kendre for showing heroic courage in saving Sukhbir Singh Badal ji’s life during the attack in Nanded.””
deccanchronicle.com
“A lot of forces do not want peace in Punjab and this country. They feel that the Shiromani Akali Dal is a hindrance to their mission.”
deccanchronicle.com
thehansindia.com
telegraphindia.com
thehansindia.com
theprint.in
Sources
Badal Alleges Plot To Destabilise Punjab
Some forces want to disturb peace in Pb and the country: Badal
Anti-peace forces targeting me to disturb harmony in Punjab, country: Sukhbir Badal on attack
'Won't let...: Sukhbir Badal's reaction after kirpan attack
Anti-peace forces targeting me and SAD to disturb harmony in Punjab, country: Badal on attack
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