Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was injured in a ‘kirpan’ attack by a member of the Nihang order inside a gurdwara on the outskirts of Maharashtra’s Nanded town on Thursday, police said.
The former Punjab deputy chief minister was rushed to hospital where he received two to three stitches on his right hand. The attacker has been arrested.
SAD leaders termed the attack, which took place around 1.45 pm at the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat, about 15 km from Nanded, an intelligence failure and said the party chief was fine and in high spirits. Senior leaders, including Badal’s brother-in-law Bikram Singh Majithia, demanded a CBI probe into the matter.
“A Nihang (member of a martial order of Sikhs) attacked Badal with a kirpan (ceremonial dagger) inside the gurdwara. The attacker has been taken into custody,” Nanded Superintendent of Police Neelabh Rohan told PTI.
Police officer Santosh Kendre, who was part of the special protection unit, was injured while protecting him.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a probe into the attack. He also called up the SAD chief to enquire about his health.
“Badal sustained a minor injury on his arm and is undergoing treatment at a hospital. He is completely fine and in ‘chardi kala’ (high spirits),” said SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler said.
Earlier in the day, the 64-year-old SAD chief visited the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, which is one of the five Takhts of Sikhism, along with wife and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
(With PTI inputs)
