"Khalistani Links...": Sukhbir Badal is attacked by former Akali Dal MP and others

Mr. Badal was attacked while performing penance for "mistakes" committed by his party during its 2007–2017 rule, as mandated by the Sikh religious organization Akal Takht.

New Delhi: The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party have united to denounce the attempted assassination of Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister who was fired at this morning at Amritsar's Golden Temple.

In a broad statement highlighting the extent of the party's emotional harm, former Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral, a member of Mr. Badal's Shiromani Akali Dal, spearheaded the attack by implying that "the attack by extremists on Punjab's moderate forces... has Khalistani connections" and alleging a conspiracy by foreign actors, including Canada, Pakistan, and the United States.

Extremists are attacking moderate forces in Punjab, including Sikhs and Punjabis, in today's attack. The attacker had Khalistani ties, according to early reports. The goal of so-called Khalistanis is to somehow destabilize Punjab. Pak might possibly be involved in a plot.

"It is obvious that foreign forces stationed in America and Canada are involved in this. "Only then can there be peace in Punjab," Mr. Gujral told news agency ANI, adding, "We want the National Investigation Agency to conduct an inquiry and the individuals and forces involved to be exposed and questioned."

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav and Congress leaders Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, who leads the party's Punjab section, have also responded. The attack was "very wrong," according to Mr. Warring, but he seemed to be more critical of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, holding it "100 per cent" accountable.

This is really incorrect, in my opinion. This shouldn't have occurred. I think that Sukhbir Singh Badal was fired (due to the government's complete carelessness). This demonstrates Punjab's state of law and order. The harshest punishment should be meted out to the person who fired the bullets," he declared.

Additionally, Mr. Warring called for the Assistant Commissioner and other high-ranking police officers to be held accountable. "He needs to be dealt with right away. How did this occur? His question was prompted by his accusation that the AAP was "waiting for someone to be killed and then saying it was a 'lapse'."

Partap Singh Bajwa, the Leader of the Opposition, issued a comprehensive statement describing the incident as "deeply unfortunate and unequivocally condemnable" in response on behalf of the Congress, the state's principal opposition party.

"Violent crimes like these are unacceptable in our society. Such occurrences threaten the foundation of social cohesion and our democratic ideals. He stated, "The incident serves as a clear reminder of Punjab's need for responsible discourse and vigilance."

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the national secretary for the BJP, denounced the attack and, like the Congress, used the occasion to disparage the AAP for not upholding law and order.

"The assault on Sukhbir Singh Badal within the hallowed grounds of Sri Harmandir Sahib is a serious violation of the sanctity of our religious establishments, not just a security error. In a video message on X, he claimed that the AAP administration had failed to protect the sanctity of sacred sites and guarantee the safety of its residents.

"It is very sad that there was an attempt to kill him," stated Mr. Yadav of the SP.

The assault on Mr. Badal, 62, occurred when the seasoned politician was performing penance mandated by the Sikh religious organization Akal Takht for "mistakes" committed by his party during its 2007–2017 rule. At gurdwaras, he had been requested to clean shoes, wash dishes, and serve food.

On the third day of that penance, Mr. Badal was sitting at the Golden Temple gate when Narain Singh, from the Gurdaspur area, 75 kilometers from Amritsar, opened fire on him at 9 a.m. today.

In answer to inquiries concerning security measures, Amritsar Police Chief Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated that "adequate arrangements... foolproof security arrangements..." had been implemented and that the "alertness" of his personnel had prevented any fatalities.

"The assailant has been apprehended. Everything will become clear after an investigation, even whether a more complex plot existed.He was saved by vigilant police during an attempted assassination.