Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, survived an assassination attempt when a gunman opened fire on him. The incident has caused significant shock, and the gunman, identified as Khalistani terrorist Narain Singh Choura, was arrested by the police for his role in the shooting. Narain Singh Choura, a resident of the Tera Baba Nanak region, was previously involved with other terrorists, including Jagtar Singh Tara and Devi Singh, and had escaped from Burail Jail.
Sukhbir Singh Badal served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab from 2007 to 2012 during the tenure of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which was in power in the state. During this time, he was also accused of providing clemency to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the leader of the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda sect, who had made derogatory remarks about the Sikh religion. This led to a significant backlash from the Sikh community, as Ram Rahim’s actions were considered blasphemous by many Sikhs.
In 2007, after Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s controversial statements about the Sikh faith, Sukhbir Singh Badal, in his capacity as the Deputy Chief Minister, granted a pardon to him. This move was widely criticized, and it sparked protests within the Sikh community. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was pressured to take action, and an investigation was initiated by Akal Takht, the highest Sikh religious authority. In August 2015, Sukhbir Singh Badal publicly apologized to the Sikh community, acknowledging his mistake.
As a result of the ongoing investigation, Sukhbir Singh Badal and his family members, including his father, former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, were found guilty in connection with this incident. Parkash Singh Badal passed away, and the honorific title “Pride of the Sikh Community,” which had been awarded to him, was revoked. The punishment for Sukhbir Singh Badal and others involved included performing menial tasks, such as cleaning toilets, working in kitchens, and polishing the shoes of devotees as a form of penance.
In accordance with this punishment, Sukhbir Singh Badal and others, including Sikhs like Sukdev Singh Dhincha, were instructed to serve as gatekeepers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Due to his poor health, Sukhbir Singh Badal was later assigned to carry out these duties in a wheelchair. During this penance, Sukhbir Singh Badal was seen holding a broom and wearing a blue servant uniform, performing his tasks at the Golden Temple.
While carrying out this penance, Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked by a gunman, later identified as Narain Singh Choura. The police quickly arrested him, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of his connections and the reasons behind the attack.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within Punjab’s political and religious landscape, with the Sikh community and various political factions continuing to navigate the complex issues of religion, politics, and justice.
