Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly condemned the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was shot at while performing 'sewa' outside the Golden Temple on Wednesday morning. Mann directed the police to thoroughly investigate the incident and praised the swift action of the Punjab Police for quickly apprehending the attacker.

The assailant, identified as Narain Singh Chaura from Dera Baba Nanak, missed Badal, who was seated in a wheelchair due to a leg injury. The police overpowered the attacker before he could harm the SAD leader. The attack was captured on cameras by media personnel, who were at the Golden Temple to cover the second day of Badal's penance for "mistakes" made during the SAD's rule in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.

"Thanks to the Punjab Police's quick response, a major incident was prevented today. Their prompt action foiled the conspiracy to tarnish the reputation of Punjab and its people," Mann said in a post on X. "The police acted swiftly and successfully apprehended the assailant at the scene. I strongly condemn the attack on Sukhbir Badal Ji and have ordered the police to launch a full investigation and submit a detailed report."

Footage from the scene showed the assailant walking towards Badal, pulling out a gun from his pocket. However, a police officer in plainclothes, standing near Badal, quickly intervened and restrained the attacker. During the struggle, a bullet hit the wall behind Badal, but he was unharmed.

As we reported earlier post, 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.

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