North News
Chandigarh, December 4
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal narrowly survived an assassination attempt while performing tankhaiya (penance) at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Tuesday. Narayan Singh Chaura, a former militant, allegedly attempted to open fire on Badal at around 9:30 am but was swiftly overpowered by a security officer, causing the shot to be fired into the air.
The incident, captured on video has raised serious concerns about security arrangements. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar praised the swift action of a policeman who prevented the situation from escalating. “Everything was brought under control before any untoward incident could occur. Chaura has been arrested, and the situation is fine,” Bhullar said.
Chaura, associated with the Khalistan Liberation Force and the Akal Federation, has a history of militant activities. Arrested in 2013, he was implicated in multiple cases involving explosives and unlawful activities across Punjab. He was released on bail in 2018. Condemning the incident, Akali leader Daljit Singh Cheema termed it a “major security lapse” and demanded a judicial inquiry. “The conspiracy behind this attack must be exposed,” Cheema stated.
The assassination attempt coincided with Badal’s penance as directed by the Akal Takht. Declared tankhaiya for actions deemed harmful to the Sikh community during his tenure, Badal was ordered to perform community service gatekeeping duties at Sikh shrines, to atone for past decisions, including the controversial pardon of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
The Akal Takht’s directives have also stripped Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir’s father, of the honorary title Fakhre-e-Qaum and mandated the recovery of funds spent on Dera-related advertisements.
Sukhbir’s penance began Tuesday and will continue at various Sikh shrines across Punjab.
