Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal narrowly escaped an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar while performing a penance ritual on 4th December. The incident occurred when a 68-year-old man, identified as Narain Singh, fired a shot at Badal.
Footage from the scene showed Narain Singh, a former terrorist and pro-Khalistan sympathizer, approaching the temple’s entrance, stealthily pulling a gun from his pocket. However, his attempt was thwarted by a plainclothes policeman who was standing near Badal. Although the assailant managed to fire a stray shot, no injuries were reported.
“It was because of the vigilance and quick response of police, this attack attempt was successfully thwarted,” stated Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. The shooter was arrested on the spot, and investigations are underway to determine the motive behind the attack.
Badal Responds
Badal later took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to express gratitude to the police and security personnel who intervened in time to save his life.
The attack came as Badal was sitting outside the Golden Temple, fulfilling a penance ritual mandated by the Akal Takht, Sikhism’s highest authority, for past “mistakes.”
A History Laden with Tensions
The Golden Temple, Sikhism’s holiest shrine, holds significant cultural and historical weight. It has also been a focal point for political and religious tensions, particularly during the turbulent events of 1984’s Operation Blue Star.
In that year, Indian special forces went into the temple to confront armed Sikh militants who were calling for an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan. The operation resulted in the deaths of hundreds, including civilians, and triggered widespread anger.
The fallout from the operation was catastrophic. Months after, Indira Gandhi, who was then Prime Minister, was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards.
Broader Implications
Although the immediate reason for this attack remains unclear, it highlights the fragile nature of peace in a region with a volatile history. For now, heightened security measures around the Golden Temple and Sukhbir Singh Badal in Punjab are being put in place to prevent further incidents.
