“Violence has no place, especially on the soil of our sacred Takhts,” Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon said on Thursday as BJP leaders and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj strongly condemned the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal at a gurdwara in Maharashtra's Nanded.
Badal, a former Punjab deputy chief minister, was attacked with a kirpan while visiting Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat in Nanded around 1:45 pm, police said. He suffered an injury to his hand and was taken to a hospital, where his condition was reported to be stable. A local official said he received two to three stitches. The alleged attacker, a Nihang, was detained.
Also Read: Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal attacked in Maharashtra’s Nanded, guard injured
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into the incident and called Badal to enquire about his health.
Dhillon said he was deeply concerned over the attack and prayed for Badal's speedy recovery.
Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu termed the incident a “cowardly attempt” on Badal's life and said it was a direct threat to Punjab's peace and security.
“Violence and intimidation have no place in our holy shrines. The perpetrators must be exposed and punished, and those responsible for the security lapse must be held accountable. Sikhism stands for seva, courage and peace, not violence,” Bittu said in a post on X.
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