New Delhi:

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has suggested the Shiromani Akali Dal should honour the man who shot at Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal since he himself had accepted he committed sacrilege, due to which the former Punjab deputy chief minister had to serve penance.

Mr Bittu in a swipe at the Akali Dal also suggested the party’s general secretary Bikram Singh Majithia should embrace Narain Singh Chaura, the man who shot at Mr Badal, “in the same way Majithia had embraced Beant Singh’s killers.”

Mr Bittu alleged the Akali Dal sympathised with terrorists, “but terrorists are not loyal to anyone.”

“Shiromani Akali Dal should show respect to Narain Singh Chaura. I appeal to the Jathedar to honour Narain Singh Chaura by putting his picture in the museum built next to the Akal Takht Sahib,” Mr Bittu, the Union Minister of State for Railway and Food Processing Industries, told reporters.

Former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, who was from the Congress, was assassinated by a suicide bomber in August 1995.

“When Sukhbir Singh Badal himself accepted the sacrilege, Narain Singh got emotional and fired at him, which missed and hit a wall. Narain Singh is a gem of the nation…” Mr Bittu said, adding Narain Singh fired at Sukhbir Badal “in the spirit of the Guru”, and so no case should be filed against him.

“If a case is filed, all expenses of the case should be paid to the SGPC and Narain Singh should be acquitted,” Mr Bittu said, in an apparent swipe at the Akali Dal.

Responding to the Union minister’s swipe, Bikram Singh Majithia said Mr Bittu and the BJP have a lot to answer for “validating the attack” on the former deputy chief minister.

“… On December 4, he (Mr Bittu) condemned the attack outside the parliament and now he has validated the attack. The BJP has a lot to answer. Why is their minister justifying an attack inside a gurdwara? Does the BJP support the ideology of Narain Singh Chaura because he is a sleeper cell of the ISI? RDX and an AK-47 rifle have been recovered from his house…”

#WATCH | Punjab: On Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu’s statement on the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia says, “… On December 4, he condemned the attack outside the Parliament and now he has validated the attack. BJP… pic.twitter.com/WU4O37yOPQ

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2024

Mr Badal, 62, was shot at while serving penance ordered by the Akal Takht, the Sikhs’ highest temporal body. He had been found guilty of religious misconduct when the Akalis were in power in Punjab, from 2007 to 2017, and declared a ‘tankhaiya’, or one guilty of religious misconduct.

He was sentenced to serve food and clean dishes and toilets in gurdwaras, including the Golden Temple, and began his first day as a ‘sevadar’ on Tuesday. Dressed in blue, he sat in a wheelchair, with a plaque around his neck and a spear in hand, and his first act of contrition was washing vessels. That day passed uneventfully.

However, on Wednesday, former Khalistaini terrorist Narain Singh opened fire from a close range at Sukhbir Badal at the main gate of the Sikh shrine. He missed, and plainclothes policemen overpowered him.

New Delhi:

Shiromani Akali Dal veteran Sukhbir Singh Badal – the object of an attempted assassination Wednesday at the Golden Temple in Amritsar – has thanked the policemen who saved his life.

“Risking your life to save someone else is not an easy thing… Assistant Sub Inspector Jasveer Singh and Assistant Sub Inspector Hira Singh… my family and I cannot repay the courage and loyalty shown by them yesterday,” the former Deputy Chief Minister said in a post on X Thursday evening.

“May God bless them with long life, good health and all happiness.”

ਕਿਸੇ ਦੀ ਜਾਨ ਬਚਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਾਨ ਦਾਅ ‘ਤੇ ਲਾਉਣੀ ਕੋਈ ਸੌਖੀ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ।

ਏ ਐਸ ਆਈ ਜਸਵੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਅਤੇ ਏ ਐਸ ਆਈ ਹੀਰਾ ਸਿੰਘ, ਦੋਵੇਂ ਸ. ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਬਾਦਲ ਸਾਬ੍ਹ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਸਾਡੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਦਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹਨ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਬੀਤੇ ਕੱਲ੍ਹ ਵਿਖਾਈ ਦਲੇਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਵਫਾਦਾਰੀ ਦਾ ਮੁੱਲ ਮੈਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਸਾਰੀ ਉਮਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਮੋੜ… pic.twitter.com/3x7FB93cuJ

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 5, 2024

Undaunted by his near-escape, Mr Badal was back serving penance today, this time at the Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib.

READ | Day After Assassination Bid, Sukhbir Badal Performs ‘Seva’ 

Mr Badal, 62, was shot at while serving penance ordered by the Akal Takht, the Sikhs’ highest temporal body. He had been found guilty of religious misconduct when the Akalis were in power in Punjab, from 2007 to 2017, and declared a ‘tankhaiya’, or one guilty of religious misconduct.

He was sentenced to serve food and clean dishes and toilets in gurdwaras, including the Golden Temple, and began his first day as a ‘sevadar’ Tuesday. Dressed in blue, he sat in a wheelchair, with a plaque around his neck and a spear in hand, and his first act of contrition was washing vessels.

That day passed uneventfully. But police now believe the shooter who targeted him Wednesday – Narain Singh Chaura – visited the gurudwara then too, possibly on a reconnaissance mission.

READ | Man Who Shot At Sukhbir Badal Seen At Golden Temple A Day Earlier

On Wednesday Chaura opened fire from close range – a 9mm handgun was seized – but miraculously missed, and was overpowered by the police personnel. Amritsar Police chief Gurpreet Singh Bhullar praised the officers for their swift action, making it clear their alertness had foiled the murder bid.

Videos shared by news agency ANI captured the dramatic moments leading up to the firing.

VIDEO | How Shooter Approaches Sukhbir Badal, How He Reacts To Gunshot

Chaura is seen approaching his target slowly before he quickly pulls out his weapon. But he isn’t quick enough and a guard standing near Sukhbir Badal is the first to raise the alarm.

He manages to grab the attacker’s arm and push it upwards. Chaura is only able to fire one round, which misses everyone and hits the wall. And, seconds later, the police grab him and take him away.

READ | “Khalistani Links…”: Ex-Akali Dal MP, Others Slam Attack On Sukhbir Badal

The attempted killing triggered furious reactions across the political spectrum, particularly since it later emerged that Chaura has links with a Khalistani terrorist group – Babbar Khalsa – and may have planned the 2004 Burail jailbreak, when four men escaped by digging a 94-foot tunnel.

Those four were Babbar Khalsa chief Jagtar Singh Hawara; former Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassins, Paramjit Singh Bheora and Jagtar Singh Tara; and a murder convict Devi Singh.

READ | “Man Who Shot At Sukhbir Badal Was A Terrorist”: Senior Punjab Cop

Since then, police sources have also said Chaura has links with Pakistani terrorist networks and was involved in smuggling weapons and explosives into Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

Chandigarh:

Police were keeping an eye on former Khalistaini terrorist Narain Singh Chaura who had visited the Golden Temple on Tuesday too, a day before his failed attempt on the life of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, a senior official said.

Chaura on Wednesday opened fire from a close range at Badal, who was performing the duty of ‘sewadar’ at the main gate of the Sikh shrine as a religious penance, but missed as he was overpowered by plainclothes policemen.

Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar on Wednesday lauded the police personnel, saying their alertness had foiled the murder bid.

He said the police have seized a 9 mm pistol from Chaura.

Commissioner Bhullar said the police would investigate all angles in the case, including if any organisation was behind the incident or it was carried out to “gain sympathy”.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Harpal Singh said the police were keeping an eye on the accused. “We had covered Sukhbir Ji,” he said, adding that the cops had been alert.

“Narain Singh Chaura was roaming around here yesterday (Tuesday) as well”, he said.

Senior SAD leader and former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia questioned why police did not take action against Chaura who faced multiple cases, many of them serious ones.

“I have shared a video that the accused was in the area since yesterday,” Majithia told reporters in Amritsar.

“He was dressed in a cream-coloured sweater yesterday. If the police were so alert, why did they not arrest him? Police were giving him VIP treatment and probably waiting for the bullet to be fired,” Mr Majithia said.

“The Punjab Police should also tell why it compromised with the safety of Sukhbir Badal by allowing the attacker to approach him and fire at point-blank range”, he said.

As other devotees entered the shrine, the shooter slowly walked towards Badal (62), who was sitting in a wheelchair due to a fractured leg, and pulled out a gun from his pocket.

Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jasbir Singh, who was standing close to Mr Badal in plainclothes, sensed the threat to the senior Akali leader and pounced on the shooter, grabbed his hands and pushed them upwards after which the attacker was overpowered with the help of other security personnel and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) task force members.

Speaking to the media in Amritsar, Commissioner Bhullar said a case has been registered in the matter and investigation was being done from each angle.

“We are deeply investigating the matter. What was his (Chaura) mentality and what did he have in mind? Besides, (the role of any) organisation or political angle behind the incident (will be probed).

“Third is the sympathy angle. We are being asked whether this (incident) was done to gain sympathy. We will deeply investigate the matter in a transparent manner,” said Mr Bhullar in reply to a question.

Responding to a question, Bhullar said the security deployment at the shrine was sufficient. Police cannot carry out frisking because religious sentiments are involved, he said.

“Around 175 police personnel led by an assistant inspector general have been deployed at the complex,” he said.

Asked whether Chaura came alone, the police commissioner said, “Interrogation is going on and we are also examining the CCTV footage to corroborate to see whether he was alone or somebody else was with him.” “Technical and on-the-spot investigation will reveal it,” he said.

Special Director General of Police Arpit Shukla told PTI that more than 20 cases including under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are registered against Chaura.

He was involved in the 2004 Burail jailbreak case where he allegedly helped terrorists Jagtar Singh Hawara, Paramjit Singh Bheora and two others escape from prison. A native of Chora Bajwa village Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, he has been out on bail.

Chaura had remained in jail in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh, his wife Jasmeet Kaur told reporters at his native place. To a question, she said he had told her that he was going to the Golden Temple. She said whatever he did was wrong. 

New Delhi:

The attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal – a man shot at the ex-Punjab Deputy Chief Minister this morning at Amritsar’s Golden Temple – has been slammed across political lines, with Mr Badal’s Shiromani Akali Dal, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party uniting to condemn the attempted assassination. 

SAD leader Naresh Gujral led the charge, suggesting “the attack by extremists on Punjab’s moderate forces… has Khalistani connections” and also claiming a conspiracy by foreign actors, including Canada, Pakistan, and the United States in a statement underlining the emotions at play all around.

“Today’s attack is an attack by extremists on moderate forces in Punjab… among Sikhs and Punjabis. As per preliminary reports, the attacker had Khalistani connections. So-called Khalistanis want to destabilise Punjab somehow. There could also be a conspiracy by Pakistan,” he said.

“It is clear that foreign forces… sitting in Canada and America have a hand in this. We want an inquiry by the National Investigation Agency, and people and forces involved should be revealed and interrogated,” Mr Gujral told news agency ANI, “Only then can there be peace in Punjab.”

#WATCH | Bullet fired at Golden Temple | Shiromani Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujral says, “Today’s attack is an attack by extremists on the moderate forces of Punjab. Sukhbir Badal and Shiromani Akali Dal are moderate forces in Punjab – among both Sikhs and Punjabis. As per… pic.twitter.com/7oZTdpcVds

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2024

Congress, BJP Slam AAP

Congress leaders Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the party’s Punjab unit chief, and Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav have also reacted. Mr Warring said the attack was “very wrong” but seemed more critical of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, holding it “100 per cent” responsible.

“I think this is very wrong. This should not have happened. I consider the firing at Sukhbir Singh Badal (because of) 100 per cent negligence of the government. This shows the condition of law-and-order in Punjab. Whoever fired the bullets should be given strictest punishment,” he said.

Mr Warring also demanded action against senior police officials, particularly the Assistant Commissioner. “Immediate action should be taken against him… how did this happen? he asked, accusing the AAP of “waiting for someone to be killed and then say it was a ‘lapse’.”

The Congress, which is the main opposition, also reacted through the Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, who called the attack “deeply unfortunate and unequivocally condemnable”.

“Such acts of violence have no place in our society. Such incidents undermine the very fabric of our democratic values and societal harmony. The incident is a stark reminder of the need for responsible discourse and vigilance in Punjab,” he said.

From the BJP’s camp, National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned the attack and, like the Congress, took the chance to also fling mud at the AAP for failing to maintain law-and-order.

Shocking and condemnable!
An attack on S. Sukhbir Singh Badal in the sacred premises of Sri Harmandir Sahib is not just a security lapse but a grave breach of the sanctity of our religious institutions. @AAPPunjab Govt has failed to ensure the safety of citizens and uphold the… pic.twitter.com/B0d1uTHs4W

— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) December 4, 2024

“An attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal in the sacred premises of Sri Harmandir Sahib is not just a security lapse but a grave breach of the sanctity of our religious institutions. AAP government has failed to ensure safety of citizens and uphold dignity of holy places,” he said in a video statement on X.

The SP’s Mr Yadav said, “It is extremely sad an attempt was made to kill him.”

AAP Responds

Answering for the AAP, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha “strongly condemned” the attack.

“Violence and such attacks have no place in a civil society. By God’s grace, Sukhbir Badal remained unscathed and is safe. I also thank the police for catching the attacker… Punjab Police is investigating all angles and will keep you informed about whatever comes out in the investigation…” he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also responded.

“Punjab Police prevented a major incident… as a result of their promptness a conspiracy to defame Punjab and Punjabis failed. The police achieved great success by arresting the assailant on the spot. I appreciate their promptness and strongly condemn the attack on Sukhbir Badal,” he said on X.

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਨੇ ਅੱਜ ਇੱਕ ਵੱਡੀ ਵਾਰਦਾਤ ਹੋਣ ਤੋਂ ਰੋਕਿਆ। ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਦੀ ਮੁਸਤੈਦੀ ਦਾ ਨਤੀਜਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਦਨਾਮ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਸਾਜ਼ਿਸ਼ ਨਾਕਾਮ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ। ਪੁਲਿਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਮੁਸਤੈਦੀ ਨਾਲ ਮੌਕੇ ‘ਤੇ ਹੀ ਹਮਲਾਵਰ ਨੂੰ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਵੱਡੀ ਕਾਮਯਾਬੀ ਹਾਸਲ ਕੀਤੀ। ਮੈਂ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਦੀ ਮੁਸਤੈਦੀ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਲਾਘਾ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ,…

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) December 4, 2024

Mr Mann said he had issued “strict instructions” for the cops to investigate and submit a report.

“Alert” Cops Saved Sukhbir Badal

Amritsar Police chief Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the “alertness” of his officers had prevented any loss of life and, in response to questions about security arrangements, insisted that “adequate arrangements… foolproof security arrangements…” had been made.

“The attacker has been caught. An investigation will reveal everything… whether there was a deeper conspiracy…It was an assassination attempt, but he was saved by alert police.”

According to sources, the shooter, Narain Singh, has links with Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa and may have planned the 2004 Burail jailbreak, when four men escaped by digging a 94-foot tunnel.

Those four were Babbar Khalsa chief Jagtar Singh Hawara; former Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassins, Paramjit Singh Bheora and Jagtar Singh Tara; and a murder convict Devi Singh.

Sukhbir Badal’s Penance

The attack on Mr Badal, 62, took place as the veteran politician was serving penance ordered by the Akal Takht, the Sikh religious body, for “mistakes” by his party when it was in power from 2007 to 2017. He had been asked to serve food, wash dishes, and clean shoes at gurdwaras.

#WATCH | Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, his wife and MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal wash utensils at Golden Temple in Amritsar following the religious punishment pronounced for them by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

Bullets were fired at the Golden Temple in Amritsar where SAD… pic.twitter.com/LGNVve0Q2r

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2024

Today was the third day of that penance; Mr Badal was sitting at the gate of the Golden Temple when he was fired upon, at 9 am, by Narain Singh from Gurdaspur district, 75 km from Amritsar.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

New Delhi:

Narain Singh Chaura, the man who allegedly has links to the Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa, was arrested for opening fire at former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal this morning. He tried to attack Mr Badal while he was serving his penance at the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Sukhbir Singh Badal escaped unhurt as Chaura was overpowered by people present on the spot.

The incident occurred around 9 am shortly after Mr Badal, who was in a wheelchair, had taken the ‘sewadar’s’ place at the gate of the Golden Temple.

Visuals from the spot show Chaura slowly approaching the gate and then taking a gun out of his pocket. A man standing near Mr Badal quickly spotted him and held his hands.

#WATCH | Punjab: Bullets fired at Golden Temple premises in Amritsar where SAD leaders, including party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, are offering ‘seva’ under the religious punishments pronounced for them by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, on 2nd December.

Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/CFQaoiqLkx

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2024

The gun goes off but narrowly misses Mr Badal and others near him and hits the wall.

Who Is Narain Singh Chaura

Narain Singh Chaura is a resident of a village called Chaura in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, some 60 kilometres from Golden Temple.

He was born on April 4, 1956, to Chanam Singh and Gurnam Kaur.

According to sources in the security establishment, Chaura is associated with the banned pro-Khalistan group Babbar Khalsa or Babbar Khalsa International.

The 68-year-old is also considered the mastermind of Chandigarh’s 2004 Burail jailbreak case in which four inmates escaped prison after digging a 104-foot tunnel. These four prisoners were Babbar Khalsa chief Jagtar Singh Hawara, former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassins Paramjit Singh Bheora and Jagtar Singh Tara and a murder convict Devi Singh.

Chaura was arrested in 2013 in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He was released on bail five years later.

Sukhbir Singh Badal Serving Punishment At Golden Temple

Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday started his penance by serving the religious punishment given to him by the highest temporal body of Sikhs in a sacrilege case.

The Akali Dal chief sat in a wheelchair at the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, wearing a plaque around his neck and holding a spear, visuals showed.

Mr Badal has been sentenced by the Akal Takht to perform as a ‘sewadar’ and given clean duty in the kitchen and toilet at several gurdwaras, including the Golden Temple, for favouring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the 2015 sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib.

Amritsar:

A day after the Akal Takht declared him guilty of religious misconduct, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday appeared before the highest temporal seat of Sikhs and sought an apology for the “mistakes” committed by the party and its government from 2007 to 2017.

Besides Mr Badal, his former Cabinet colleagues – Daljit Singh Cheema, Gulzar Singh Ranike and Sharanjit Singh Dhillon – and Mahesh Inder Grewal, advisor to the then chief minister, also submitted their written explanation to the Akal Takht.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Friday had held Mr Badal guilty of religious misconduct and declared him ‘tankhaiya’.

After a meeting of the five Sikh head priests, the jathedar had asked Mr Badal to appear before the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs within 15 days to seek apology for the decisions he took as the deputy chief minister and as SAD chief that deeply harmed the image of the ‘Panth’ and caused damage to Sikh interests.

Mr Badal would remain a ‘tankhaiya’ until he apologises for his “sins”, Mr Singh had said while pronouncing verdict from the Akal Takht complex in Amritsar.

The members of the Sikh community, who served as ministers in the Akali government from 2007-17, had also been directed to appear at the Akal Takht in person to submit their written explanation in 15 days, he said.

In his letter submitted to the Akal Takht secretariat on Saturday, Mr Badal wrote, “Being a humble Sikh of Guru, I accept the edict and bow my head humbly. Following the edict issued by the Akal Takht, I being a humble servant came to the Akal Takht and tender an apology with folded hands.” 

His former cabinet colleagues who also submitted their clarifications stated that they agreed with the clarification given by Mr Badal, hence they all were equally accountable for “mistakes” committed during the erstwhile SAD government.

They sought apology from the Akal Takht and said whatever the ‘tankah’ (religious punishment) awarded by the Akal Takht, they were ready to accept as a humble servant.

The former ministers submitted their letters separately and gave consent to undergo punishment to be awarded by the Akal Takht.

It is the prerogative of the Jathedar of the Akal Takht to call Mr Badal to appear before the five Sikh head priests who may award him religious punishment according to the Sikh tenets.

Mr Badal had earlier sought “unconditional forgiveness” for “all mistakes” committed when the SAD was in power in Punjab.

He had recently submitted his explanation after the Jathedar asked him to appear in person before the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, following allegations levelled by the party’s rebel leaders, who have asked him to step down.

Mr Badal submitted his explanation after the Jathedar asked him to appear in person before the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, following allegations levelled by the rebel leaders.

Rebel Shiromani Akali Dal leaders, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and ex-Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, had appeared before the jathedar on July 1 and sought forgiveness for “four mistakes” committed during the party’s government between 2007 and 2017.

Earlier this month, the Akal Takht Secretariat in Amritsar had released a copy of the three-page letter that Mr Badal submitted to the Jathedar on the rebel leaders’ accusations, on July 24.

A section of party leaders have revolted against Mr Badal, asking him to step down.

Mr Badal, in his letter, had said he and his companions will accept with humility every order issued by the Akal Takht, according to ‘Gurmat’ traditions.

He also attached a copy of an October 2015 letter written by his father and the-then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to the Akal Takht regarding “some tragic incidents” that took place in Punjab from 2007 to 2015.

Incidents related to the theft of a ‘bir (copy)’ of the Guru Ganth Sahib, putting up of handwritten sacrilegious posters and torn pages of the holy book found scattered at Bargari had taken place in Faridkot in 2015 when the Shiromani Akali Dal was in power.

During the anti-sacrilege protests in Faridkot, two persons were killed and several injured in police firing.

The rebel leaders, referring to the 2015 sacrilege incidents, had said the then government could not ensure punishment to the guilty.

They had also mentioned the 2007 blasphemy case registered against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly imitating the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

Mr Badal allegedly used his influence to ensure that the Dera chief was pardoned in the blasphemy case, they said.

In 2015, the Akal Takht pardoned the Dera chief based on a written apology. However, bowing to pressure from the Sikh community and hardliners, it annulled its decision.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Amritsar:

The Akal Takht on Friday declared Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal ‘tankhaiya’ — guilty of religious misconduct– for the “mistakes” committed by his party and the party’s government from 2007 to 2017.

Soon after the declaration, Mr Badal said he bows his head and accepts the order of the Akal Takht.

In a post on X in Punjabi, Mr Badal said he will soon appear before the Akal Takht to apologise.

After a meeting of the five Sikh head priests, the jathedar of the Akal Takht Gyani Raghbir Singh asked Mr Badal to appear before the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs within 15 days to seek apology for the decisions he took as the deputy chief minister and as SAD chief that deeply harmed the image of the ‘Panth’ and caused damage to Sikh interests.

Mr Badal would remain a ‘tankhaiya’ until he apologises for his “sins”, Singh said while pronouncing verdict from the Akal Takht complex here.

The members of the Sikh community, who served as ministers in the Akali government from 2007-17, were also directed to appear at the Akal Takht in person to submit their written explanation in 15 days, he said.

The Takht Jathedar did not give details of the “mistakes” committed by Mr Badal. But incidents related to the theft of a ‘bir (copy)’ of the Guru Ganth Sahib, putting up of handwritten sacrilegious posters and torn pages of the holy book found scattered at Bargari had taken place in Faridkot in 2015 when the Shiromani Akali Dal was in power.

The Sikh clergy in the meeting included Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh.

A day before the meeting of five Sikh head priests, Mr Badal had appointed senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar as the party’s working president.

Mr Badal has sought “unconditional forgiveness” for “all mistakes” committed when the SAD was in power in Punjab. He had recently submitted his explanation after the Jathedar asked him to appear in person before the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, following allegations levelled by the party’s rebel leaders, who have asked him to step down.

In his letter earlier, Mr Badal had said he was a “humble servant” of the Guru and dedicated to the Guru Granth Sahib and the Akal Takht.

Mr Badal submitted his explanation after the Jathedar asked him to appear in person before the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, following allegations levelled by the rebel leaders.

Rebel Shiromani Akali Dal leaders, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and ex-Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, had appeared before the jathedar on July 1 and sought forgiveness for “four mistakes” committed during the party’s government between 2007 and 2017.

Earlier this month, the Akal Takht Secretariat in Amritsar had released a copy of the three-page letter that Mr Badal submitted to Giani Raghbir Singh, the Akal Takht Jathedar on the rebel leaders’ accusations, on July 24.

A section of party leaders have revolted against Mr Badal, asking him to step down.

Mr Badal, in his letter, had said he and his companions will accept with humility every order issued by the Akal Takht, according to ‘Gurmat’ traditions. Mr Badal also attached a copy of an October 2015 letter written by his father and the-then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to the Akal Takht regarding “some tragic incidents” that took place in Punjab from 2007 to 2015.

Incidents related to the theft of a ‘bir (copy)’ of the Guru Ganth Sahib, putting up of handwritten sacrilegious posters and torn pages of the holy book found scattered at Bargari had taken place in Faridkot in 2015 when the Shiromani Akali Dal was in power.

During the anti-sacrilege protests in Faridkot, two persons were killed and several injured in police firing.

The rebel leaders, referring to the 2015 sacrilege incidents, had said the then government could not ensure punishment to the guilty.

They had also mentioned the 2007 blasphemy case registered against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly imitating the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

Mr Badal allegedly used his influence to ensure that the Dera chief was pardoned in the blasphemy case, they said.

In 2015, the Akal Takht pardoned the Dera chief based on a written apology. However, bowing to pressure from the Sikh community and hardliners, it annulled its decision.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chandigarh:

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday formed his party’s parliamentary board.

Senior party leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar has been appointed as its chairman, said a party leader.

The board will have Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and Hira Singh Gabria as its members.

The formation of the board came amid rebellion by a section of party leaders including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Bibi Jagir Kaur.

The rebel party leaders have revolted against Sukhbir Singh Badal, asking him to step down as party chief following the party’s debacle in Punjab in the Lok Sabha polls.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Sangrur:

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has an “understanding” with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to split AAP into a separate Punjab unit after the elections, like Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde did in Maharashtra, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal claimed on Saturday.

Badal made the claim while addressing rallies at Sunam and Dhuri for the Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) Sangrur candidate Iqbal Singh Jhundan.

“Bhagwant Mann has compromised with the BJP as he felt he would also be arrested like his boss (Arvind) Kejriwal because he had also perpetrated the same liquor scam as done by AAP in Delhi. This understanding has saved him from arrest,” Badal alleged.

Shiv Sena leader Shinde became Maharashtra chief minister after parting ways with Uddhav Thackeray and forming an alliance with the BJP.

The Election Commission of India has since recognised the Shinde faction as officially representing the Shiv Sena while the Thackeray-led faction has been using the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) name.

The Shiromani Akali Dal chief also asserted that no Delhi-based party can be trusted with votes.

“Bhagwant Mann has opened channels with both the BJP and the Congress to hedge his bet. While he has an informal understanding with the BJP, he has also aligned with the Congress in Punjab and is putting up a friendly fight in most constituencies,” Badal said.

He cited how AAP is contesting against the Congress in Punjab but Mann has been campaigning for the grand old party in Chandigarh and Haryana.

AAP and the Congress are constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc. While the two parties are contesting the Lok Sabha elections independently in Punjab, they have an alliance in Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Urging Punjabis to “seal the borders” for all Delhi-based parties, Badal said, “The AAP government in Punjab and the Union government colluded to prevent our farmers from marching to Delhi. This led to firing of tear gas shells at our farmers and even firing of rubber bullets. Now it is your turn to seal the borders of Punjab with your votes.” He also made a case for trusting the Shiromani Akali Dal — a home-grown party of Punjab.

Badal said the Shiromani Akali Dal has always stood for safeguarding the interests of Punjab and decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone when it became clear that the BJP was not ready to resolve any of the pending grievances of the farmers or the Sikh community.

He also announced that once the Shiromani Akali Dal is elected to power, it will release tubewell connections to all agriculturists who do not have a single connection in their name.

He also promised that all social welfare schemes that have been curtailed by successive Congress and AAP governments would be revived in totality.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chandigarh:

Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, former Union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Tuesday merged his Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) with the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal.

The development came days after Dhindsa and Badal held talks to finalise the reunion.

Later, speaking to reporters here, Mr Dhindsa termed the merger as “a joint responsibility to bring Punjab back on track”, while Mr Badal called it a “merger of two families”.

The Shiromani Akali Dal family has been further strengthened today with the merger of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) led by its president S Sukhdev Singh Ji Dhindsa into the party.
I thank Dhindsa Sahab for responding to my call for Panthic unity, and appeal to all Akali… pic.twitter.com/aR13xLKzQp

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) March 5, 2024

Mr Dhindsa and his son and former finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa were expelled from the SAD in February 2020 for alleged anti-party activities, after which they floated the SAD (Sanyukt).

The talks for the reunion commenced in December last year when Badal sought an apology for the sacrilege incidents that took place during the Akali regime in 2015.

He had then appealed to dissident Akali leaders to shun their differences to come under one flag.

The merger came amid the buzz over the SAD-BJP reunion. The Akalis had quit the NDA in 2020 over the now-repealed farm laws.

The SAD (Sanyukt) had contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls in alliance with the BJP.

After the merger, Dhindsa said, “There was an overwhelming feeling among our leaders and workers to merge with the SAD to effect unity in the ‘Panth’.” The former Rajya Sabha member said the entire party felt that Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed heartfelt remorse for the cases of sacrilege which occurred in 2015.

“Accordingly, I called a meeting of the party’s district presidents yesterday and they gave the go-ahead for the merger,” he said.

“Present times demand that the SAD should be strong, which will make the ‘panth’ strong. Sukhbir Singh Badal is like my son,” said Dhindsa.

“You are seeing Punjab’s situation today, the situation of law and order. It is our responsibility that we collectively raise our voice,” he said.

“The day Sukhbir Badal apologised before Akal Takht, we formed a five-member committee and took feedback from people across Punjab and the majority suggested that we should unite. I spoke with my party’s senior leaders and they authorised that whatever decision I take will be acceptable to them,” said Dhindsa.

Earlier, SAD president Badal visited Mr Dhindsa’s residence here along with senior leaders of the party including those from Sangrur district.

Addressing the media at Mr Dhindsa’s residence, Mr Badal termed the merger as a “merger of two families”.

He also appealed to Dhindsa to take on responsibility as patron of the SAD since he was the senior most Akali leader after the demise of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.

He said Dhindsa, along with senior leaders like Balwinder Singh Bhundar, had built the SAD along with Parkash Singh Badal at “great personal cost”.

He also assured all the leaders of the SAD (Sanyukt) who joined the SAD of full respect and honour.

Mr Badal also welcomed Mr Dhindsa’s son Parminder Dhindsa into the party fold on the occasion while appreciating the leader’s contribution towards Punjab.

He also issued a clarion appeal to all Akali leaders who left the party on one pretext or another, to rejoin it saying “The SAD alone is capable of safeguarding the aspirations of Punjabis”.

During this appeal, the SAD president even joined his hands and said “I am ready to apologise to everyone”.

To a media query, Mr Badal reiterated, “I appeal to Bibi Jagri Kaur ji with folded hands to return to the party fold.” “If Punjab is to be saved, strengthen the SAD. The only party which can sacrifice anything for the people of Punjab,” said Badal.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)