Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Naresh Gujral described the attack on former Deputy Chief Minister and SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal as an “attack by extremists on the moderate forces of Punjab.” Gujral called for an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the incident.
Gujral alleged that the attacker had “Khalistani connections” and claimed the incident was an attempt to destabilise Punjab. “Today’s attack is an attack by extremists on the moderate forces of Punjab. Sukhbir Badal and Shiromani Akali Dal are moderate forces in Punjab—among both Sikhs and Punjabis. As per preliminary reports, the attacker has Khalistani connections,” he said. “The so-called Khalistanis want to destabilize Punjab somehow. There can be a conspiracy by Pakistan as well. It is clear that foreign forces—sitting in Canada, America—have a hand in this. We would want an inquiry by NIA and the people and forces involved in this should be revealed and they be interrogated. Only then will there be peace in Punjab,” Gujral added.
Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring blamed “100 percent negligence” of the state government for the attempted assassination of Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Condemning the attack, Warring demanded “strictest” punishment for the accused and called for the suspension of the Additional Commissioner of Police.
The attack occurred on Wednesday morning while Badal was performing penance under the religious punishments pronounced by Sri Akal Takht Sahib. According to the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the attacker, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, was immediately apprehended by the police. The former Deputy Chief Minister was unharmed.
Congress leader Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa also condemned the attack and criticized the police for failing to take precautions beforehand.
Police officials confirmed that a man opened fire at Badal while he was serving as a ‘sewadar’ at the entrance of the Golden Temple. The shooter, Narain Singh Chaura, was quickly overpowered and caught. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Harpal Singh stated, “There were proper security arrangements here. Sukhbir ji was properly covered (given cover). Narayan Singh Chaura (assailant) was here yesterday as well. Today too, he first paid obeisance to the Guru. Nobody was hurt by the bullet.”
Singh added, “Security arrangements were proper. The person (shooter) tried to do some mischief but he could not succeed.” The police confirmed that Badal was unharmed.
Badal, clad in a blue ‘sewadar’ uniform, was sitting at the entrance of the Golden Temple with a plaque card around his neck as part of the ‘tankhah’ religious punishment pronounced by the Akal Takht Board for religious misconduct during his tenure from 2007 to 2017. He was declared a ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) in August and is currently performing ‘sewadar’ duties such as washing utensils, cleaning shoes, and maintaining bathrooms at the Golden Temple.
SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema expressed gratitude for Badal’s safety, saying, “First of all, I would like to thank Guru Nanak. Jako Rakhe Saaiyan, Maar Sake Na Koy. ‘Sevaks’ were offering ‘seva’ here. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was sitting by the Guru Ram Das Dwar as ‘Chowkidar’. Bullet was fired in his direction. I thank Guru Nanak that he saved his ‘sevak’. This is a huge incident. What era is Punjab being pushed into? I would like to ask the CM of Punjab, where do you want to take Punjab? The attacker was caught on the spot. I also thank the security personnel here. Had they not acted promptly, the outcome could have been grave. There should be a high-level judicial inquiry into the incident. We will continue with our ‘seva.'”
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the attack, calling it an unfortunate incident, and assured that the accused would be held accountable. “It is an unfortunate incident. Due to the alertness of Punjab Police personnel, a big incident was averted. The accused was arrested on the spot. I am in touch with senior officials in the Police and the DGP. I have ordered them to conduct a thorough probe into the incident. Very soon, the motive behind the attack will be known. We will not allow such conspiracies which aim to defame the state to be successful,” Mann stated. He added that 175 police personnel had been deployed in Amritsar and promised a strict and unbiased investigation.
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Punjab Special DGP (Law & Order) Arpit Shukla disclosed that the attacker, Narain Singh Chaura, had a criminal history with over 21 cases registered against him. “This person has been arrested, and he has a previous criminal background. There are more than 21 cases registered against him. Police are interrogating him. As and when we get to know more facts, we will share with you,” Shukla said.
The Akal Takht Board issued the punishment for Badal citing “mistakes” and “some decisions” made by the SAD-led government in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.
