The attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal at Gurdwara Mata Saheb in Nanded, Maharashtra, has again raised concerns about tension between Badal and some sections of Sikh community.
Badal suffered a minor injury on his arms after his security personnel stopped the attack. He was later given medical treatment at a private hospital.
This is the second attack on Badal in two years. In December 2024 he was attacked at Golden Temple in Amritsar while he was performing prayer, however he was not seriously injured in that incident either.
The latest attack has brought attention to several controversial issues related to SAD-BJP government in Panjab between 2007 to 2017.
One major issue was Dara Sacha Sauda controversy in 2007.
Another major controversy began in 2015 after incident of sacrilege at Bargari. Police firing at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura, where protesters were injured and two people were killed, further increased anger against the government.
Many Sikh leaders and members of the community have criticised the Badal family for its handling of these issues. There has also been a long-standing belief among some Panthic leaders that the Badal family had too much influence over Sikh religious institutions such as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht.
These controversies have affected the SAD’s political position in Punjab. The party’s seats in the Assembly have declined sharply, and several breakaway groups have emerged. The party now has only one MLA and one MP.
SAD leaders have called for a detailed investigation into the Nanded attack. Bikram Singh Majithia demanded a CBI probe, while SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kaler suggested that “anti-Panthic forces” could be involved.
Leaders of the AAP, Congress and BJP also condemned the attack, while acknowledging the anger that still exists over the 2015 sacrilege cases. They stressed that political and religious disagreements must be addressed through law, accountability and democratic means rather than violence.
In conclusion, the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal highlights the continuing political and religious tensions surrounding the SAD and its leadership. While anger over past sacrilege cases and the handling of protests remains a major issue, political differences cannot justify violence.
The incident has also renewed calls for a fair investigation and accountability.
Going forward, the SAD will need to address the concerns of the Sikh community and rebuild trust while ensuring that such disputes are handled through democratic and peaceful means.
