New Delhi: A shocking incident unfolded at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, on Wednesday morning when an assassination attempt was made on Sukhbir Singh Badal, a senior Punjab politician and former deputy chief minister.
The attempt occurred while Badal, a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader, was performing “tankhah,” a form of religious penance, at the temple. According to initial reports, the assailant, identified as Narayan Singh Chaura, fired a shot at Badal. Police, including ADCP Harpal Singh (as quoted by various news sources), reported that security measures were in place and Badal was given cover. Although a bullet was fired, miraculously, no one was injured, Singh said.
The alleged assailant, Narayan Singh Chaura, is suspected to be a Khalistan supporter. It’s believed his motive stemmed from anger over sacrilege cases that occurred during the SAD’s tenure in government. ADCP noted that Chaura was present at the temple the day before the incident as well.
Badal, dressed in blue sewadar (volunteer) clothes and seated in a wheelchair due to a leg injury, was on guard duty outside the temple as part of his punishment. He wore a placard acknowledging his “misdeeds,” referencing the punishments imposed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh for perceived failings in his leadership of the Sikh community. These punishments, imposed on Badal and other senior Akali Dal leaders, included cleaning toilets, serving in the langar (community kitchen), performing Nitnem (daily Sikh prayers), and reciting Sukhmani Sahib.
Reacting to the incident, SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema expressed gratitude that Badal was unharmed, attributing it to divine intervention. He criticised the current political climate in Punjab, questioning the direction of the state under the current CM, while also praising the prompt action taken by security personnel. Cheema called for a high-level judicial inquiry into the matter. “…First of all, I would like to thank Guru Nanak. Jako Rakhe Saaiyan, Maar Sake Na Koy. ‘Sevaks’ were offering ‘seva’ here. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was sitting by the Guru Ram Das Dwar as ‘Chowkidar’. The bullet was fired in his direction…I thank Guru Nanak that he saved his ‘sevak’…This is a huge incident, what era is Punjab being pushed into?… I would like to ask the CM of Punjab, where do you want to take Punjab?… The attacker was caught on the spot. I also thank the security personnel here. Had they not acted promptly…There should be a high-level judicial enquiry into the incident…We will continue with our ‘seva’…”
