CM Saini Condemns Attack on Sukhbir Badal at Nanded Gurdwara
Synopsis
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini strongly condemned the reported attack on former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Gurdwara Sahib in Nanded, calling violence at sacred Sikh shrines wholly unacceptable. The incident drew cross-party concern given Nanded's deep significance as a supreme Sikh takht.
Key Takeaways
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini called the reported attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal at Nanded's Gurdwara Sahib 'extremely condemnable' on 13 August 2026 .
Sukhbir Singh Badal is the former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and president of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Nanded in Maharashtra is home to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib , one of Sikhism's five supreme takhts, giving the location profound religious significance.
Saini asserted that gurdwaras are 'sacred centres of devotion and faith' and that violence has no place at such shrines.
Cross-party condemnations of violence at Sikh pilgrimage sites are a consistent feature of Indian political responses to such incidents.
Maharashtra police investigation and responses from the Akali Dal and SGPC are the key developments to follow.
Violence at a sacred Sikh shrine drew swift political condemnation on Thursday, 13 August 2026, after a reported attack on former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Gurdwara Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini called the incident 'extremely condemnable', demanding that no space be given to violence at such holy sites.
Posting in Hindi on X, CM Saini wrote: 'नांदेड के गुरुद्वारा साहिब में पंजाब के पूर्व उपमुख्यमंत्री सुखबीर सिंह बादल जी पर हुआ हमला अत्यंत निंदनीय है।' — 'The attack on former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Gurdwara Sahib in Nanded is extremely condemnable.' He added that gurdwaras are sacred centres of faith and devotion, and violence has no place at such shrines.
Nanded's Sikh Significance and the Weight of the Moment
Nanded, a city in Maharashtra, is home to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib — one of the five supreme takhts of Sikhism and the site where Guru Gobind Singh passed away in 1708. An attack within or near such a site carries profound symbolic weight for the global Sikh community, far beyond ordinary political violence. The sanctity of the location makes the condemnation not merely political, but deeply religious in character.
Sukhbir Badal's Vulnerability and the Akali Dal Context
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, has faced a period of intense political and personal scrutiny. His presence at Nanded's gurdwara was consistent with a pattern of religious observance that has marked his public engagements in recent times. Cross-party statements condemning violence at Sikh pilgrimage centres are a well-established feature of Indian political discourse — but the specific combination of a high-profile target and a revered Sikh shrine gives this incident unusual gravity.
Saini's statement reflects a broader political consensus: regardless of party affiliation, attacks at places of worship demand unequivocal rejection. Whether the condemnation translates into coordinated pressure on Maharashtra authorities for a swift investigation remains the immediate question to watch.
Point of View
A constituency no north Indian leader can afford to alienate. For a BJP chief minister to publicly defend a Shiromani Akali Dal leader underscores how attacks at religious sites can briefly override partisan lines. The real test, however, lies in whether this verbal solidarity translates into political pressure for a credible Maharashtra police investigation, or remains a performative gesture in a crowded news cycle.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Sukhbir Singh Badal at Nanded?
A reported attack on former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal took place at the Gurdwara Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra, prompting condemnation from political leaders including Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini on 13 August 2026. Full details of the incident are subject to ongoing investigation.
Why is Nanded significant for Sikhs?
Nanded in Maharashtra is home to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, one of the five supreme takhts of Sikhism and the site where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, passed away in 1708. It is among the most sacred pilgrimage destinations for Sikhs worldwide.
Who is Sukhbir Singh Badal?
Sukhbir Singh Badal is the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal and served as Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab. He is a prominent figure in Punjabi Sikh political life.
What did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini say about the Nanded attack?
CM Saini called the attack 'extremely condemnable', stating that gurdwaras are sacred centres of faith and devotion, and that violence has no place at such holy sites.
What action is expected after the Nanded gurdwara attack?
Maharashtra police are expected to investigate the incident. Statements from the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) are also anticipated as the situation develops.
