By – Shubhendra Singh Rajawat
In a shocking turn of events, Sukhbir Singh Badal, the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Badal had been at the temple as part of a religious sentence imposed on him by the Sri Akal Takht Sahib, where he was offering ‘seva’ (service) following his conviction. The attack occurred early in the morning when Badal was engaged in his religious duties, sitting on a chair due to a foot fracture, and was positioned at the main gate of the Golden Temple.
According to reports, a bullet was fired at Badal while he was performing his service duties in the holy complex. Despite the gunshot, Badal remained unharmed. The incident caused panic among the devotees in the area, with many fleeing the scene in fear. Authorities have since confirmed that the bullet missed its target, likely due to the quick actions of people nearby who managed to subdue the attacker.
The attacker, identified as Narayan Singh Joda, hails from the Dera Baba Nanak area and is allegedly associated with the separatist group Dal Khalsa. He had been observed earlier in the temple complex on Tuesday as well. After firing the shot, Joda was immediately apprehended by people around Badal, and his hand was raised, causing the bullet to fire into the air. The police swiftly arrested the assailant, and investigations are currently underway.
Sukhbir Badal had been in the Golden Temple as part of his religious punishment, imposed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, where he is expected to carry out specific religious duties in atonement for his actions. The attack occurred at a time when Badal, along with other SAD leaders, was performing these duties in accordance with the sentence. The assailant’s motives remain unclear, though authorities are considering the possibility of a politically motivated attack.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the security arrangements for such high-profile figures in sensitive locations. While the Punjab police assured the public that adequate security measures were in place, SAD leaders criticized the authorities for failing to prevent the attack, claiming that the attack highlights lapses in their security protocols. The police, on the other hand, have defended their actions, stating that Sukhbir Badal was provided with proper security and that the assailant had evaded detection despite being under surveillance.
Police Statement and Investigation
ADCP Harpal Singh, speaking to the media, assured that thorough security measures had been implemented and that Badal had been provided with adequate protection. He confirmed that the assailant had been in the temple complex earlier as well and was being closely monitored due to intelligence inputs regarding his suspicious activities. Singh also mentioned that the attacker had first paid his respects to Guru Granth Sahib before attempting the attack.
Following the attack, the atmosphere inside the Golden Temple was tense, and additional police personnel were deployed to control the situation. The incident is now being thoroughly investigated, and authorities are looking into the possible connections of the assailant with extremist groups.’
The Shiromani Akali Dal has condemned the attack, with party members demanding justice and a thorough investigation. In response to the attack, SAD leaders expressed their concerns over the growing climate of violence and political tensions in Punjab, urging the government to take stronger measures to ensure the safety of all political figures.
As the investigation continues, the entire episode has added to the already volatile political landscape of Punjab, where the Shiromani Akali Dal has been at odds with various political forces. The attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal has now become a subject of intense scrutiny, with both political and religious implications. The focus will now be on understanding the assailant’s motives and ensuring such incidents do not happen again in the future.
A Divisive Moment for Punjab Politics
This assassination attempt comes at a time when political tensions in Punjab are at a peak, with the SAD and other regional players engaged in a battle for influence. The incident also underlines the volatility of Punjab’s political climate, where religious and political narratives often overlap, leading to complex and sometimes dangerous situations.
As more details emerge, the state’s law enforcement agencies are likely to come under greater pressure to address security concerns, particularly regarding high-profile leaders who are involved in politically sensitive actions, such as religious atonement or political dissent.
The situation remains fluid, and both the police and political leaders are closely monitoring developments.