Nanded/Chandigarh
Shiromani Akali Dal president and Punjab’s former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a kirpan at a gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded on Thursday, suffering a hand injury in the second major assault on him at a Sikh shrine since the 2024 Golden Temple shooting. The attack, allegedly carried out by Pune-based Jaspal Singh in Nihang attire, triggered demands for a CBI probe, questions over the security of the Z-plus protectee, besides a political and religious backlash across Punjab.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Sukhbir’s wife, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, to enquire about his health and offer assistance. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into the attack and sought details from the Nanded police. The SAD alleged a larger conspiracy against its leadership, while the BJP, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the Akal Takht condemned violence at a sacred Sikh shrine and called for an impartial investigation.
The Nanded assault has also revived memories of December 4, 2024, when Sukhbir Badal, serving religious punishment as a sewadar at the Golden Temple, survived a gun attack by Narain Singh Chaura. With two attacks now taking place at revered Sikh shrines, the latest incident has raised fresh questions over Sukhbir’s security, the motives behind the assaults, and whether the two incidents have any connection.
Sukhbir had reached Nanded with his wife Harsimrat and visited Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib before proceeding to the Mata Sahib Devan Ji Gurdwara complex. The assault took place around 1 to 1.45 pm as he was leaving after paying obeisance.
According to the information available, a man, dressed in Nihang attire, suddenly lunged at Sukhbir with a kirpan. Security personnel and devotees immediately intervened and overpowered him. Sukhbir suffered an injury to his arm and was rushed to a private hospital, where his condition was reported to be stable and the injury non-life-threatening. His security personnel also sustained an injury while trying to stop the attacker.
SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kaler said Sukhbir was completely safe and that his injury was minor. He said his arm was being dressed at the hospital and appealed to people not to believe rumours about his condition.
Police detained the attacker immediately and identified him as Jaspal Singh. CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and other evidence are being examined to establish the precise sequence of events and the circumstances in which the assailant managed to approach Sukhbir.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to the Nanded Superintendent of Police, sought information about the incident, and ordered a detailed investigation, including into the motive behind the attack and the security arrangements.
Sources also said Fadnavis spoke to Sukhbir and enquired about his health.
PM Dials Harsimrat
The incident drew the personal attention of Prime Minister Modi, who telephoned Harsimrat and enquired about her husband’s condition. According to sources, Modi spoke to her at length about the events in Nanded, asked whether Sukhbir was safe and whether the family needed any assistance. Modi had recently met Sukhbir at the Parliament complex.
Motive Still Under Probe
The precise reason for the assault has not yet been conclusively established. Preliminary information from the investigation indicated that Jaspal Singh told authorities he was angry over drug use in Punjab. Police are examining whether this was his sole motive or whether he acted under the influence of any individual or organisation. The accused had reportedly been serving at the gurdwara for around two years. He is said to be a resident of Pune and had earlier practised law. At the time of the incident, he was dressed in Nihang attire. Police are questioning him and examining whether he acted alone. They are also looking into any possible security lapse and the circumstances that allowed him to get close to a Z-plus protectee.
Second Attack in 2 Years
The Nanded attack revived memories of December 4, 2024, when Sukhbir survived a shooting at the Golden Temple while serving religious punishment imposed by the Akal Takht over sacrilege-related issues during the SAD government. Sitting in a wheelchair with a fractured leg, Sukhbir was fired at by pro-Khalistan activist Narain Singh Chaura, who was overpowered and arrested. The latest assault has prompted SAD to question a possible link between the two attacks.
SAD Demands CBI Probe, Alleges Conspiracy
Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia described the Nanded assault as the second attempt on Sukhbir’s life and demanded an immediate CBI investigation into both incidents. Majithia alleged that the attacks could be part of a “deep conspiracy” aimed at eliminating the moderate leadership of the Akali Dal. He questioned why the first attack had not been thoroughly investigated and warned against waiting for a third attack.
Rivals, SGPC, Akal Takht Unite in Condemning Nanded Attack
Political rivals and Sikh religious bodies closed ranks in condemning the attack on Sukhbir, while stressing that political differences, community grievances, and disagreements could never justify violence — particularly inside a gurdwara.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon termed the assault at Hazur Sahib deeply distressing and sought an impartial probe, strict action and an appeal for peace and communal harmony. His predecessor Sunil Jakhar said political differences must be settled through dialogue, not violence, and urged the Maharashtra Government to punish those responsible. Former Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu described the assault as a cowardly attempt on Sukhbir’s life and a threat to Punjab’s peace, demanding that both the perpetrators and those responsible for security failures be exposed.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring acknowledged the anger over Bargari sacrilege, Behbal Kalan firing, and delayed justice, but said political grievances must be pursued through democratic accountability, never violence. Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said attacking anyone seeking refuge at the Guru’s house was unacceptable. Congress MLA Pargat Singh called violence inside a gurdwara particularly damaging to the Sikh community.
AAP’s senior leader Baltej Pannu condemned the attack while pointing to the lingering resentment over the 2015 sacrilege incidents and police firing, saying the Akali Dal needed to recognise that sentiment — but stressing that anger could not legitimise violence.
Sikhs’ highest temporal seat Akal Takht’s officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj said a true Sikh could never attack a devotee at a gurdwara and warned that such acts tarnish the sanctity of Guru Ghar and the Sikh community’s image. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami called the assault a sign of an “anti-Panthic mentality” and sought a probe into forces behind it. Takht Patna Sahib’s former Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh also condemned the attack and prayed for Sukhbir’s recovery.
Who is Jaspal Singh?
Jaspal Singh, the attacker of Sukhbir detained in Nanded, is reportedly a Pune-based former lawyer who had been serving at the gurdwara for about two years. He was dressed in Nihang attire when he allegedly attacked Sukhbir with a kirpan. Preliminary information suggests that he told investigators he was angry over drug use in Punjab. Police have not yet established whether this was the complete motive or whether anyone else influenced or assisted him.
