Nanded, Aug 14: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday alleged that forces opposed to peace were targeting him and his party with the aim of disturbing communal and religious harmony in Punjab and the country.
Badal was attacked by a member of the Nihang order inside the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat on the outskirts of Nanded city on Thursday. Following the attack, he underwent a surgery at a local hospital.
Talking to reporters after being discharged from the hospital, Badal said his party, SAD, would not allow any attempt to disturb peace in Punjab.
“A lot of forces do not want peace in Punjab and this country. They feel the Shiromani Akali Dal is a hindrance to their mission,” he said.
Referring to his father and former Punjab chief minister late Parkash Singh Badal, he said his family had never compromised with such forces.
He noted that attempts had been made to target him at two of Sikhism’s holiest shrines — the Golden Temple and a gurdwara.
Despite the attacks, he would continue to stand firm against any attempt to create unrest, he said.
“Both times they attacked me at the holiest places – first at the Golden Temple and the second time at a gurdwara,” he said.
In December 2024, Badal survived an assassination attempt while he was performing ‘sewadar’ duty at the Golden Temple in Amritsar after the Akal Takht pronounced the ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) for “mistakes” committed during the party’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
Quoting a Punjabi saying, Badal added, “Jihde sir te Guru Sahib da hath hoye, ohnu koi aanch nahi aundi” (one who has the Guru’s blessings, remains unharmed).”
He reiterated that the SAD was committed to communal harmony, religious brotherhood and peace in Punjab and would not be deterred by threats or attacks.
Police have arrested the alleged attacker and launched an investigation into the incident.
According to police, they have yet to find out why the accused, Jaspal Singh, attacked Badal. (PTI)
