New Delhi, August 16: There is a rising demand for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the life-threatening attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal, the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, which occurred on August 13. Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, has written to the Union Home Minister requesting a fair and high-level investigation into this incident, as well as a previous attack that took place on December 4, 2024.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal stated that an assailant attacked Sukhbir Singh Badal with a sword while he was exiting a gurdwara in Nanded Sahib after paying his respects. The attack aimed to kill him, resulting in injuries to his right hand, while a security personnel who attempted to intervene was also injured.
Harsimrat Kaur emphasized that this is not an isolated incident. She pointed out that Sukhbir Singh Badal was previously attacked on December 4, 2024, within the premises of the Shri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar while he was serving under the directives of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib. She expressed concerns that both attacks may be interconnected, citing several similarities between them.
The letter raises serious questions regarding the role of the Punjab Police and the state government. Harsimrat Kaur Badal noted that despite knowledge of the accused’s militant connections and threats against Sukhbir Badal following the 2024 attack, the individual was allowed to roam freely within the Harmandir Sahib complex and reach Sukhbir Badal.
She claimed that there were images and incidents indicating close ties between senior police officials and the accused prior to the attack, raising suspicions of potential negligence or collusion within the police force. She asserted that an independent investigation into all these aspects is essential.
Harsimrat Kaur also alleged that the police did not treat the 2024 attack with the seriousness it warranted. According to her, some officials made statements immediately after the attack that questioned the victim rather than the assailant. She pointed out that eyewitnesses and security personnel’s statements were not recorded promptly, casting doubt on the investigation process.
In her letter, the MP expressed concern that there is an attempt to normalize political and religious violence. She stated that repeated violent incidents at sacred sites like gurdwaras not only hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community but also damage the image of Punjab and the nation.
She highlighted that Punjab is a border state and has been an extremely sensitive area from a national security perspective. If there is any involvement of extremist, inter-state, or foreign networks, a thorough investigation is necessary. These incidents cannot be dismissed merely as law and order issues.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal urged the Home Minister to ensure that both incidents on August 13, 2026, and December 4, 2024, are investigated by the NIA to determine if they are part of a larger conspiracy. She also insisted that during the investigation, no innocent person should be harassed or falsely implicated, and appropriate action should be taken against the guilty to reveal the truth.
In conclusion, she stated that Punjab and the nation cannot afford a recurrence of the violent periods of the 1980s and 1990s under any circumstances. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards politically or religiously motivated violence and assassination attempts.
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