Sukhbir Badal kirpan attack: BJP leaders visit SAD chief, demand NIA probe
Synopsis
Sukhbir Singh Badal's kirpan attack in Nanded — the second assault on the SAD chief in two years — has drawn BJP leaders to his bedside and a formal NIA probe demand to Amit Shah. With Punjab heading to Assembly elections, the attack is adding a volatile new dimension to an already tense political landscape.
Key Takeaways
BJP National Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill and Punjab Vice-President Tajinder Singh Bittu visited Sukhbir Singh Badal on 16 August to wish him a speedy recovery.
Sukhbir Singh Badal was allegedly attacked with a kirpan by a Nihang Sikh at a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra , three days prior.
According to Harsimrat Kaur Badal , the SAD chief required 'at least 150 stitches on each side' of his right arm.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal has written to Home Minister Amit Shah seeking an NIA investigation into the attack.
This is the second attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal in two years , raising security concerns ahead of Punjab Assembly elections .
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill on Sunday, 16 August visited Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal to enquire about his health following a kirpan attack that left the Akali Dal chief with severe injuries to his right arm. Tajinder Singh Bittu, Punjab BJP Vice-President, accompanied Shergill during the visit.
What Happened to Sukhbir Singh Badal
Sukhbir Singh Badal sustained a serious hand injury after he was allegedly attacked with a kirpan by a Nihang Sikh at a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra, three days before the BJP delegation's visit. According to his wife and Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the SAD chief required 'at least 150 stitches on each side' of his right arm and received prompt medical treatment.
NIA Probe Demanded
Harsimrat Kaur Badal confirmed she has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the attack. The demand signals the gravity with which the Badal family and the SAD view the incident, which they have described as a targeted assault on the party's leadership.
Political Significance of the Visit
The BJP leaders' visit carries notable political weight. The BJP and the SAD share a long history of alliance in Punjab, punctuated by periods of strained relations. Shergill's personal outreach, alongside the Punjab unit's representative, is being read as a gesture of solidarity that transcends immediate political calculations. Notably, this is the second such attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal in two years, raising wider concern about the security of senior political figures in the state.
Punjab's Pre-Election Context
The attack and the subsequent political attention it has drawn come as Punjab prepares for Assembly elections early next year. The incident has amplified apprehension about law and order in the state, adding a charged dimension to an already competitive political environment. Sources indicated that the BJP leaders kept their interaction focused strictly on Badal's health, with no political discussions reported during the meeting.
What's Next
As Sukhbir Singh Badal — a prominent figure in Punjab politics and son of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal — continues his recovery, well-wishers from across the political spectrum have extended support. The NIA probe request is pending with the Home Ministry, and further updates on Badal's medical condition are awaited.
Point of View
But the NIA demand is the real story. An NIA referral would centralise the investigation, effectively sidelining Punjab's AAP-led state police — a move with obvious political utility for both the BJP and the SAD ahead of elections. That this is the second attack on Badal in two years without a conclusive accountability trail is the accountability gap mainstream coverage is underplaying. The 150-stitches detail, if verified, points to severity that demands more than political solidarity visits.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded?
Sukhbir Singh Badal was allegedly attacked with a kirpan by a Nihang Sikh at a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra, sustaining severe injuries to his right arm that reportedly required at least 150 stitches on each side, according to his wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Why did BJP leaders visit Sukhbir Singh Badal?
BJP National Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill and Punjab BJP Vice-President Tajinder Singh Bittu visited Badal on 16 August to enquire about his health and convey best wishes for his recovery. No political discussions were reported during the visit.
Has an NIA probe been demanded in the Sukhbir Badal attack case?
Yes. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Lok Sabha MP and wife of Sukhbir Singh Badal, confirmed she has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah formally requesting a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the attack.
Is this the first time Sukhbir Singh Badal has been attacked?
No. According to reports, this is the second such attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal in the last two years, which has raised broader concerns about the security of senior political figures in Punjab.
How does this attack affect Punjab's political situation?
The attack comes as Punjab prepares for Assembly elections early next year. It has intensified concerns about law and order in the state and spotlighted the BJP-SAD relationship, with the BJP's solidarity visit reflecting the complex alliance history between the two parties.
