Harsimrat Kaur terms attack on Sukhbir Badal a 'well-planned political conspiracy'
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Saturday described the attack on her husband, party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, as a "well-planned political conspiracy". She was speaking at a gathering in memory of Karnail Singh Isru of the Goa Liberation Movement at Isru village in Punjab's Khanna.
Sukhbir Badal was attacked with a 'kirpan' (ceremonial dagger) on Thursday by a member of the Nihang order while he was inside a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra. He sustained an injury to his right hand. The attacker was arrested, according to police.
Kaur, who appeared emotional during her address, said the last two days had been difficult for her family. "I am sorry, I am very emotional today. Because the last 48 hours have been very difficult for me and my family. I was not supposed to be here today; Sukhbir ji had to be here. But see what they did to him," she said.
She said that Badal was attacked while offering prayers at "one of the holiest shrines of Sikhs" and was praying for Punjab's peace and prosperity. "Whoever attacked him cannot be a Sikh and is a 'Guru Dokhi' (anti-Guru)," she claimed.
Kaur alleged that this was the second attempt on Badal's life in two years and that the attack was part of a conspiracy hatched since 2015 to disrupt peace in Punjab. She did not provide evidence for the claim. In December 2024, Badal had escaped an attempt on his life at the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
"Every time the Akali Dal works to preserve Punjab's peace and harmony, the 'Guru Dokhis' work even harder to spread hatred. But they will not be able to break Sukhbir ji's resolve," Kaur said. She added that Badal had asked her to address the event in his place, showing his commitment to Punjab and his resolve to protect the state.
Badal was discharged from a hospital in Nanded on Friday and was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for surgery. While leaving the Nanded hospital, he said that some forces were trying to disturb peace in Punjab and the country and saw his party as a "hindrance" to their mission. He said he would never allow "anti-national and anti-Punjab forces" to take control of the situation in Punjab or disturb peace in the state.
The Nihang order is a Sikh warrior sect known for its distinctive blue attire and traditional weapons. The motive behind Thursday's attack has not been officially stated, and investigations are ongoing.
