Sukhbir Badal stable after 90-minute surgery; probe ordered into gurdwara attack
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal is in a stable condition after undergoing surgery for a hand injury he sustained in an attack at a gurdwara in Nanded district, Maharashtra, on Thursday. The surgery, which lasted about 90 minutes, was carried out on Thursday evening, and doctors attending to him said he is now out of danger.
“There was a tendon injury, and he had a sharp penetrating wound. His tendon was repaired. The plastic surgeon also repaired his ulnar artery nerve. He is out of danger,” a doctor from the hospital said.
Hospital sources said the SAD leader is expected to be discharged on Friday and is likely to be flown to Punjab in the afternoon. Security around the hospital has been strengthened.
The attack occurred when Badal was visiting the gurdwara, and a man wearing the traditional attire of a Nihang Sikh allegedly used a kirpan, a ceremonial dagger, to assault him. The police have identified the accused as Jaspal Singh, a court clerk who had been serving as a sevadar at the gurdwara for the past two years.
Singh has been taken into custody. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on charges of attempt to murder, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, and voluntarily causing grievous hurt to a public servant to deter them from performing their duty.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a probe into the incident and directed the police to investigate the motive behind the attack.
Reacting to the incident, Badal’s wife and Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal took to social media platform X to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their prompt response. She said they took immediate cognisance of the incident and directed central investigating agencies to coordinate with the Maharashtra police in the probe.
“Thank you for your commitment to ensuring an effective probe into this painful incident which is a grave violation of the fundamental tenets of the great Sikh religion,” she wrote, adding that the Prime Minister had personally called to inquire about her husband’s health.
In another post, she expressed gratitude for the good wishes and described the attack as “dastardly”. The incident has sent shockwaves through the political and religious communities, with many condemning the use of violence in a place of worship.
Nanded is an important Sikh pilgrimage centre in Maharashtra, and the attack has raised concerns about security for leaders and visitors at religious sites. The incident occurs just a day before the nation observes Independence Day. Police are continuing their investigation, and a detailed report has been sought by the state government. Badal’s condition is being monitored by a team of doctors, and he is expected to travel to Punjab once cleared by medical staff.
