India
Sukhbir Singh Badal will continue to perform ‘seva’ at Golden Temple after assassination attempt, says SAD leader | India News – Times of India
People caught a man allegedly opening fire on Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal while the latter was serving the ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) imposed by the Akal Takht at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. (Image credit: PTI)
This morning, an assassination attempt took place on Badal on the premises of the Golden Temple in Amritsar while he was performing religious penance as prescribed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
“This is the place of Wahe Guru, he protects us. ‘Seva’ will continue. We have faith in the Almighty,” said Balwinder Singh Bhunder.
The Punjab Chief Minister’s office confirmed that the attacker, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, was nabbed by police from the spot. “The attack was foiled by the police. The police had already placed a security cordon. Before Chaura could do anything, police officer arrested him,” the Punjab CMO said in a statement.
“This is the place of Wahe Guru, he protects us. ‘Seva’ will continue. We have faith in the Almighty,” said Balwinder Singh Bhunder. Police officials confirmed that Badal was unhurt in the incident.
The attempted attack took place while Badal was sitting at the entrance of the Golden Temple and wearing a plaque as part of the ‘tankhah’ religious sanctions imposed by the Akal Takht administration for religious violations during his 2007-2017 term.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak committee chairman Harjinder Singh Dhami promised to conduct an independent investigation from the Gurudwara’s perspective.
“We will investigate this properly through our sources. I think he (the attacker) was picked up and taken away by the police. Guru Ram Das rescued Sukhbir Singh Badal… We are investigating the security arrangements,” he said.
Expressing his concern, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav said, “It is extremely sad that an attempt was made to kill him.”
In August, Akal Takht declared Badal a ‘tankhaiya’ and prescribed religious sanctions. Badal, who served as deputy chief minister of Punjab from 2007 to 2017, now performs ‘sewadar’ duties including washing utensils, cleaning shoes and bathrooms at the Golden Temple. The Akal Takht issued the punishments citing “mistakes” and “some decisions” taken during the SAD’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
