Sukhbir Singh Badal, leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), was attacked by an alleged Khalistani activist, Narayan Singh Chaura, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday. The incident occurred at the entrance of the revered Sikh shrine while Badal and other SAD leaders were performing 'seva' as part of a religious punishment for past actions.
The assailant fired a bullet within the temple grounds during the religious ceremony on December 2. However, authorities swiftly apprehended him, and no one was injured in the incident. Amritsar police clarified that adequate security was in place, and Sukhbir Singh Badal was well-protected during the service. Deputy Commissioner of Police Harpal Singh confirmed that Chaura had also visited the temple the previous day and had paid respects to the Guru before the attack.
Sukhbir Singh Badal's penance came after the Sikh clergy imposed a 'tankhah' (religious punishment) on him and other SAD leaders for alleged wrongdoings during the party’s tenure from 2007 to 2017. On Tuesday, Badal, despite having a fractured leg, participated in the religious duties as a 'sewadar' at the Golden Temple, wearing traditional blue attire and using a wheelchair. Alongside him, other leaders, including Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, also carried out their penance.
The punishment, which was announced by the Akal Takht, followed Badal’s acknowledgment of his mistakes, including pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case. The Akal Takht had declared him 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) earlier this year.
Several other Akali leaders, such as Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, and Balwinder Singh Bhundar, were also directed to perform similar penances. These included cleaning washrooms and utensils at the Golden Temple, as well as listening to religious 'kirtan'. The penance was a response to the grievances related to the governance of Punjab under the SAD from 2007 to 2017.
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