Certain forces do not want peace in Punjab: Sukhbir Singh Badal
A day after he was injured in a kirpan attack, former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Friday that some groups are against peace in Punjab and the country, and see the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as standing in their way.
He said he would follow the example of his late father, former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, and would not let such groups take control of the state. He added that he is committed to keeping unity.
Badal, who is president of the SAD, was attacked with a kirpan by a member of the Nihang order inside Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat on the edge of Nanded city on Thursday. He had surgery at a local hospital and was released on Friday afternoon.
After leaving the hospital, Badal told reporters, “A lot of forces do not want peace in Punjab and this country. They feel that the Shiromani Akali Dal is a hindrance to their mission. My father, Parkash Singh Badal, never compromised with these forces. He always stood for the idea that all communities and religions should live together happily.”
“My father was a chief minister. He kept peace among communities and respected all religions. These groups tried to attack me a year ago. Their goal is to take control of Punjab and disturb the peace, but as president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, I will never let that happen. My father did not allow it either,” he said. Badal also said he had been targeted at two of Sikhism’s holiest sites. Despite these attacks, he said he would keep standing up to any effort to cause unrest. “Both times, they attacked me in the holiest places. First at the Golden Temple and then at Takht Hazur Sahib (Mata Sahib),” he said. Badal said, “Jihde sir te Guru Sahib da hath hoye, ohnu koi aanch nahi aundi” (one who has the Guru’s blessings remains unharmed).
“I thank Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj, as this is his land. The enemies of Punjab’s peace tried a lot, but He saved me. I am not afraid, and I am committed to Punjab’s brotherhood. Shiromani Akali Dal can make every kind of sacrifice because the development of Punjab is the development of the country for us,” he said.
In December 2024, Badal survived an assassination attempt while doing sewadar duty at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
The incident happened after the Akal Takht announced tankhah, or religious punishment, for actions taken during the party’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
He reiterated that the SAD remains committed to communal harmony, religious brotherhood, and peace in Punjab and will not be deterred by threats or attacks. Police have arrested the suspected attacker, Jaspal Singh, and have started an investigation. Police say the motive for the attack is still unknown.
