Shiromani Akali Dal president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked by a Nihang on Thursday near Mata Sahib Gurdwara at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra.
He was with his wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who is an Akali Dal MP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also inquired about Badal’s health in a phone conversation with his wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal, according to sources. Nanded Collector Rahul Kardile said, “He (Sukhir) suffered a minor injury on the hand and is stable and out of danger; the police inspector who saved the SAD chief also sustained injuries. The suspect has been taken into custody and investigation is under way”.
Party sources said the incident took place in the afternoon when Sukhbir Singh Badal, accompanied by his supporters and security personnel, was visiting Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur in Nanded. Taking advantage of the rush at the gurdwara, a person reportedly dressed in Nihang Sikh attire and carrying a sharp-edged weapon approached Badal and tried to stab him. An alert security personnel intervened and foiled the attack before the assailant was overpowered.
The attacker was also seriously injured in the incident, while Badal sustained an injury to his hand. Badal, who is on a two-day visit to Nanded district, was visiting various gurdwaras when he was attacked at Mata Sahib Gurdwara. Police said a man attacked Badal with a knife while he was visiting Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat. One person has been detained in connection with the incident, which occurred around 1.45pm. His condition is stable now.
He was accompanied by his wife, Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, at the time of the incident. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry into the attack. A viral video showed Badal entering a building with his right hand wrapped in a cloth. In December 2024, the former Punjab deputy CM narrowly escaped an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar while serving a religious punishment.
Pro-Khalistan hardliner Narain Singh Chaura had allegedly approached Badal and opened fire at him from close range. A police officer from Badal’s security team intervened and pushed the gunman’s hand upward, causing the bullet to miss Badal.
At the time, Badal was seated at the Golden Temple entrance in a blue sewadar uniform as part of the tankhah religious punishment imposed by the Akal Takht over alleged religious misconduct during his father Parkash Singh Badal’s tenure as Punjab chief minister from 2007 to 2017.
