New Delhi [India], August 13 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday spoke to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal over the phone to enquire about his health following the attack on him at a gurdwara in Maharashtra's Nanded, and termed violence over ideological differences "reprehensible".
In a post on X, Rajnath Singh said the attack on Badal was "extremely disturbing" and prayed for his speedy recovery.
"The news of the attack on Punjab's former Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sukhbir Singh Badal is extremely disturbing. In a democracy, any kind of violence due to ideological differences is reprehensible from every perspective. I have spoken to him on the phone to inquire about his health. I pray to God for his speedy recovery," Singh wrote.
पंजाब के पूर्व उप-मुख्यमंत्री श्री सुखबीर सिंह बादल पर हुए हमले का समाचार अत्यंत चिंताजनक है। लोकतंत्र में वैचारिक मतभेद के चलते किसी भी प्रकार की हिंसा, हर दृष्टि से निंदनीय है। मैंने फ़ोन करके उनके स्वास्थ्य की जानकारी प्राप्त की है। मैं ईश्वर से उनके शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना…
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 13, 2026
The attacker has been taken into police custody and further legal action is underway, Nanded Police said.
Badal suffered a wound of around five centimetres on his right forearm after being attacked with a dagger at a gurdwara in Nanded, District Collector Rahul Kardele said. He and a police officer who was injured while protecting him are stable and out of danger.
"He sustained a minor injury, as did a PSI from the Special Protection Unit. Both are currently in stable condition and out of danger," Kardele said.
"Both were hit on the arm. I believe Badal has a wound of about four to five centimetres on his right forearm, and doctors are currently treating him," he added.
According to Nanded Police, the incident took place at around 1:50 pm after Badal completed darshan at Gurudwara Mata Sahib Devaji at Mugat village in Mudkhed taluka. While he was coming down the steps, a Sikh sewadar allegedly attacked him with a dagger, injuring his hand.
Police Inspector Santosh Kele of the Special Protection Unit, who was accompanying Badal, also sustained an injury to his hand while attempting to protect the SAD chief.
Both Badal and Kele were admitted to Yashosai Hospital in Nanded, where they are undergoing treatment. Police said their condition was good.
Kardele said Badal's visit was private and that no official intimation had been given to the Collector's office. However, since Badal has Z-plus security, he was provided full police protection.
"It was a private visit. No official intimation was given to the Collector's office, but since he has Z-plus security, he had full police protection," the Collector said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry into the incident and sought details from the Nanded Superintendent of Police. Fadnavis also spoke to Badal over the phone, during which the SAD chief is learnt to have told him that he was stable.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Badal's wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, over the phone and enquired about the SAD chief's health, sources said.
SAD national vice-president Sanjeev Talwar condemned the attack and raised questions over the security arrangements for Badal.
"Such an attack on someone who has Z+ security and is a former Deputy CM will certainly be considered a security lapse," Talwar said.
He also described Badal as a promoter of Hindu-Sikh unity and said the incident should not be viewed merely as an attack on an individual.
"Sukhbir Singh Badal is a promoter of Hindu-Sikh unity; he speaks of Punjab and Punjabiyat. This is not a direct attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal but an attack on the unity and integrity of Punjab," Talwar said.
The latest attack comes nearly two years after Badal was targeted in an attempted shooting at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in December 2024 while performing 'seva'. The attacker, Narain Singh Chaura, allegedly attempted to fire at Badal but was overpowered before causing serious harm.
The 2024 incident occurred after the Akal Takht declared Badal a 'tankhaiya', or guilty of religious misconduct, over decisions and actions taken by the SAD-led Punjab government between 2007 and 2017.
As part of the religious punishment, Badal performed 'seva' at the Golden Temple and other Sikh shrines.
Following the 2024 attack, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia had criticised the Punjab Police and raised questions over the security arrangements surrounding Badal. (ANI)
