Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Wednesday (December 4) morning when a man opened fire at him near the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The attack occurred as Badal, along with other SAD leaders, was performing acts of religious penance ordered by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs.
The suspect, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, is a former member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a notorious Khalistani separatist group. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed Chaura’s identity, stating that he is currently in police custody and being interrogated.
Incident Details
The shooting unfolded around 10:30 a.m. while Badal was participating in seva duties, including washing utensils and cleaning washrooms, as a form of penance for “misdeeds” during his tenure as Punjab Deputy Chief Minister from 2007 to 2017.
Attempt to assassinate Akali Dal chief #SukhbirSinghBadal in Golden Temple while offering ‘Seva’ pic.twitter.com/Us2O4gZ2jL
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) December 4, 2024
Badal had arrived at the Golden Temple a day earlier, visibly adhering to the directives of the Akal Takht. He was seen in a wheelchair, holding a spear, and wearing a plaque around his neck acknowledging his “wrongs” as decreed by the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh.
The Akal Takht’s ruling came after Badal and other SAD leaders were declared tankhaiyas (guilty of religious misconduct) on August 30. The judgment stemmed from controversies during the Akali government, including the 2015 decision to pardon Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, which sparked widespread outrage within the Sikh community.
Immediate Reactions
SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema, addressing the media at the scene, expressed gratitude for Badal’s survival, attributing it to divine intervention and the quick response of security personnel.
“A bullet was fired at Sukhbir Singh Badal while he was seated near the Guru Ram Das Dwar as part of his seva duties. By Guru Nanak’s grace, he was unharmed. The attacker was apprehended on the spot, and I commend the prompt action of the security personnel,” Cheema said.
He criticized the Punjab government, calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, citing a deteriorating law and order situation in the state. “What era is Punjab being pushed into? This is a matter of grave concern. A high-level judicial inquiry must be conducted into this incident. Despite the attack, we will continue with our seva,” he added.
The incident has raised serious questions about the security arrangements at one of Sikhism’s holiest shrines. The Golden Temple attracts millions of devotees annually, making security a complex challenge.
The SAD has squarely blamed the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government for what they described as a lapse in maintaining law and order. In a sharp rebuke, Cheema questioned the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of political leaders and citizens.
Meanwhile, the police are probing the motive behind the attack, with sources indicating that Chaura’s links to Khalistani extremism are being investigated.
Background: The Akal Takht’s Ruling
The Akal Takht’s judgment against Badal and other SAD leaders was unprecedented. It directed them to perform public penance to atone for decisions taken during their tenure, particularly the pardon granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The religious authorities deemed these actions to be in violation of Sikh tenets, leading to their public censure.
As part of the penance, Badal and others were instructed to undertake humble duties at the Golden Temple, including cleaning the shrine and performing menial tasks. These actions were intended to demonstrate remorse and seek forgiveness from the Sikh community.
Future Course of Action
The SAD has called for a high-level judicial inquiry into the assassination attempt, with demands for stronger security measures at religious sites and public gatherings. The incident has also reignited discussions about the political climate in Punjab, with leaders across party lines condemning the attack.
