What happened: kirpan attack during Sukhbir Singh Badal’s gurdwara visit

Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal president, suffered injuries to his hand after being attacked during a visit to a gurdwara in Nanded district, Maharashtra. Police said the attacker was described as a Nihang order member (a Sikh martial sect) and attacked Badal with a kirpan at the Mata Sahib Gurdwara. Authorities said only one accused was involved, Badal’s injury was minor, and he was stable and out of danger. The inspector who saved Badal also suffered injuries.

Badal’s wife, Lok Sabha member Harsimrat Kaur Badal, was present. The Prime Minister inquired about Badal’s health by phone with Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

Police and authorities identified the accused as Jaspal Singh and said he had been a sevadar at the gurdwara for about two years. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe.

Background and earlier position: claims of repeated attacks on Sukhbir Singh Badal

Political reaction followed the Nanded attack. Shiromani Akali Dal leaders described the incident as an attack on Punjab politics and the Sikh community. Party leaders alleged that the kirpan attack in Nanded was the second major attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal after an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar on December 4, 2024.

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