Not an attack on Sukhbir Badal but on Darbar Sahib 'sevadar', says Akal Takht Jathedar
Chandigarh, Dec 4 (IANS) Condemning an attempt to shoot Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Wednesday said the incident was not an attack on Badal but rather an attack on a Darbar Sahib ‘sevadar’, who was performing ‘seva’.
He urged the AAP government in Punjab to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.
Hours after a Khalistan sympathiser associated with the radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa opened fire at Sukhbir Singh Badal when he was sitting on “punishment” guard duty outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, who was overpowered by policemen, the AAP commended the Punjab Police for its alertness and quick response in handling the incident.
The Aam Aadmi Party appreciated the decisive action taken by the police, which prevented any untoward incident and ensured public safety.
Senior AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said, “We are grateful to the Punjab Police for their prompt intervention. Their vigilance and swift action led to the immediate apprehension of the attacker, averting a potentially serious situation.”
The party also acknowledged the exemplary efforts of policemen Raspal Singh, Jasbir, and Parminder, who acted decisively by quickly noticing suspicious activity, apprehending the accused, and preventing any harm.
Their courage and professionalism played a pivotal role in diffusing the situation, he told the media.
In a video, Sukhbir Badal was seen in a blue ‘sewadar’ uniform holding a spear and at point-blank range as the shooter whipped out the gun. However, the policemen were swift to react and overpowered the assailant. He escaped unhurt as the bullet hit a wall.
Garg noted that the matter is under investigation, and commenting on its specifics at this stage would not be appropriate. The party expressed confidence in the Punjab Police to conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry to uncover all aspects of the incident.
He called for restraint from all quarters and urged citizens to avoid speculation while the investigation progresses.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh condemned the murderous attack on Sukhbir Badal.
In a statement, Amarinder Singh expressed relief that Sukhbir Badal “is safe and the bullet did not hit or harm him”.
He hailed the person on the spot who overpowered the assailant and also deflected his arm, which prevented the bullet from hitting Sukhbir Badal.
The former Chief Minister pointed out that Sukhbir Badal had sought forgiveness from the Akal Takht and was undergoing the punishment pronounced on him, inside the Golden Temple complex. He said those behind the attack on the Akali leader had violated the Sikh ‘maryada’.
Amarinder Singh said Punjab has already suffered a lot during the 1980s and 1990s and it cannot afford another dark era.
He called upon people to beware of the forces, which are trying to sabotage peace in Punjab.
A Khalistani sympathiser associated with the radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa opened fire at Sukhbir Badal when the former deputy CM of Punjab was sitting on “punishment” guard duty.
The shooter has been identified as Narain Singh Chaura, allegedly a former militant, who faces many cases and was accused in the sensational Burail jailbreak case in Chandigarh in 2004, where four undertrials, three of them assassins of former Chief Minister Beant Singh, escaped from the jail by digging a tunnel.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Harpal Singh told the media that proper security arrangements were in place and he was himself present on site.
“Chaura was present in the temple yesterday also. On Wednesday morning, he came to the temple as usual and paid obeisance before opening fire at Badal,” he told the media in Amritsar.
According to police, Chaura had crossed over to Pakistan in 1984 and was instrumental in smuggling weapons and explosives into Punjab during the initial phase of militancy. He was allegedly associated with the Khalistan Liberation Force and the Akal Federation. He was also wanted in cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Ropar districts.
While in Pakistan, he allegedly authored a book on guerrilla warfare and “seditious” literature.
Badal, 62, was performing ‘sewadar’ duties after the Akal Takht pronounced the ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) for him and several other Akali Dal leaders for “mistakes” committed during the party’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
As part of the punishment, Sukhbir Badal and his former colleagues in the then Cabinet were ordered to clean toilets, serve “langar” (community kitchen), perform daily prayers and recite Sukhmani Sahib. Placards were also placed around their necks as part of the sentence.
Due to health concerns, Sukhbir Badal and another former Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa were instructed to serve as gatekeepers at the Golden Temple entrance for two days.
–IANS
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