Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and enquired about the health of her husband, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, after he was injured in an alleged attack at a gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded.
According to sources, Modi spoke to Harsimrat over the phone after the incident. Sukhbir Badal was reportedly attacked by a man dressed in Nihang attire with a kirpan at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur.
Badal suffered an injury to his hand and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
What happened to Sukhbir Badal in Nanded?
The incident reportedly occurred after Badal paid obeisance at the gurdwara and was heading towards the langar hall.
The shrine is located around 15 km from Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, one of Sikhism’s five Takhts.
Badal was visiting Nanded with his wife and SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal as part of a three-day visit that began on Wednesday.
The SAD later described the incident as a “close-range” attack, while saying Badal was doing well and remained in “Chardi Kala” or high spirits.
SAD says Badal suffered minor injury
SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler said the attacker attempted to target the party chief but was stopped by security personnel accompanying him.
Kler said Badal sustained a minor injury to his arm and was receiving treatment at a hospital.
“Badal sustained a minor injury on his arm and is undergoing treatment at a hospital. He is completely fine and in ‘Chardi Kala’,” Kler said.
He also alleged that “panthic leaders” were being repeatedly targeted and suggested that “anti-panth” forces could be behind such incidents.
The SAD spokesperson said the police would investigate the circumstances and determine whether there was any larger conspiracy.
Fadnavis orders inquiry
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry into the reported attack.
The incident is the second reported attack on Sukhbir Badal in less than two years.
In December 2024, Badal survived an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Former militant Narain Singh Chaura allegedly fired at him from close range, but a security officer intervened and caused the bullet to miss Badal and hit a wall.
Chaura was subsequently overpowered and arrested.
Attack comes days after Modi-Badal meeting
The Nanded incident comes just days after Sukhbir Badal met Prime Minister Modi on August 7.
The meeting had triggered speculation about a possible rapprochement between the SAD and BJP ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.
The latest attack and the subsequent inquiry are likely to draw further attention to security arrangements around political leaders and religious sites.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Thursday’s incident and whether the attack was an isolated act or part of a larger conspiracy.
