Sukhbir Singh Badal: Nanded attack aimed at disturbing Punjab peace
Synopsis
Sukhbir Singh Badal has now been attacked twice at Sikh holy sites in less than a year — first at the Golden Temple, now at Hazur Sahib in Nanded. His framing of both incidents as a coordinated 'mission to disturb Punjab' raises the political stakes well beyond a lone assailant with a Kirpan.
Key Takeaways
Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a Kirpan at Mata Sahib Gurdwara, Hazur Sahib, Nanded by a man dressed as a Nihang.
Badal underwent surgery on his right hand and was discharged on 14 August .
The attacker was taken into custody shortly after the incident.
This is the second attack on Badal at a Sikh religious site; the first occurred in 2024 at the Golden Temple, Amritsar .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis called Harsimrat Kaur Badal to enquire about his health.
SAD leaders called it a 'direct attack on Sikhism' and alleged a possible conspiracy to revive 1984-era tensions in Punjab.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on 14 August alleged that the attack on him in Nanded, Maharashtra — carried out by a man dressed as a Nihang — was part of a deliberate 'mission' to destabilise Punjab, vowing he would never allow it. Badal made the remarks after being discharged from hospital, where he underwent surgery on his injured right hand.
What Badal Said After His Discharge
'Their mission is to take control of the situation in Punjab and disturb peace, which, as President of Akali Dal, I will never allow,' Sukhbir Singh Badal told reporters outside the hospital. He drew a direct line between the Nanded attack and a previous attempt on his life in 2024, when he was targeted while serving penance at the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
'Neither my father allowed it. Both times, they attacked me in the holiest places — first in the Golden Temple, and second at Takht Hazur Sahib,' he said. Badal credited his survival to divine protection, invoking Guru Gobind Singh ji and the sacred ground of Hazur Sahib.
Details of the Attack
The assailant attacked Badal with a Kirpan at the Mata Sahib Gurdwara premises in the Hazur Sahib area of Nanded and was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Visuals from the scene showed Badal walking inside a hospital building with his right hand wrapped in cloth. He subsequently underwent surgery on the injured hand before being discharged.
This is the second reported attack on the SAD chief in less than a year, raising questions about the security arrangements for senior political figures at religious sites.
Political Leaders React
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the SAD chief's wife, to enquire about his health following the attack. The outreach from top political figures underscores the gravity with which the incident has been received across party lines.
SAD Vice President and Member of the Punjab Core Committee Sanjeev Talwar described the attack as a 'direct attack on Sikhism', adding that he believed it could be 'a conspiracy by those who want to take Punjab back to 1984'. SAD's chief spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler separately blamed 'anti-Sikh forces' for the repeated attempts on Badal's life.
Badal's Commitment to Communal Harmony
'I am not afraid, neither have I ever been so. I only want to state that Shiromani Akali Dal can make all kinds of sacrifice, but we are committed to communal harmony and brotherhood in Punjab,' Badal asserted after his discharge. His remarks framed the attack not merely as a personal threat but as a challenge to the broader fabric of Hindu-Sikh unity in the state.
With the attacker in custody and investigations under way, all eyes will be on whether authorities can establish the full chain of conspiracy — and whether security protocols at Sikh religious sites will be reviewed.
Point of View
Already once attacked at the Golden Temple, not have adequate security at a second major Sikh shrine? The focus on motive and conspiracy must not displace the immediate question of security failure.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded?
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, was attacked with a Kirpan by a man dressed as a Nihang at the Mata Sahib Gurdwara in the Hazur Sahib area of Nanded, Maharashtra. He sustained an injury to his right hand, underwent surgery, and was discharged on 14 August.
Who carried out the attack and were they arrested?
The attacker, who was dressed in the attire of a Nihang, assaulted Badal with a Kirpan and was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Investigations are ongoing.
Has Sukhbir Singh Badal been attacked before?
Yes. In 2024, an assassination attempt was made on Badal while he was serving penance at the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The Nanded attack is the second such incident at a Sikh religious site.
How did political leaders respond to the attack?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called Harsimrat Kaur Badal to enquire about the SAD chief's health. SAD leaders described the attack as a 'direct attack on Sikhism' and alleged a conspiracy to destabilise Punjab.
What did Sukhbir Singh Badal say about the motive behind the attack?
Badal alleged that the attack was part of a 'mission' to take control of the situation in Punjab and disturb its peace, which he vowed to never allow. He framed both attacks as targeting him at Sikhism's holiest sites and reaffirmed his commitment to communal harmony in Punjab.
