‘I Just Felt Like Doing It’: Nihang Accused in Attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal Tells Police

Nanded, Maharashtra: A Nihang Sikh identified as Jaspal Singh, aged 62, has told police that he “just felt like doing it” after allegedly attacking former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal with a kirpan at a gurdwara in Nanded on Thursday, according to reports.

According to police sources, the assailant further stated that the attack was motivated by his belief that when “their government” was in power, it had failed to win the public’s trust. Nanded Police are currently recording his statement.

The accused, Jaspal Singh, is an advocate by profession. Two years ago he came to Nanded from Pune and had been a sevadar at the gurdwara.

The incident occurred at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur while Badal was visiting with family members to offer prayers. Sources said the attack took place just as people were having photographs taken with him. An argument reportedly preceded the assault. Badal sustained an injury to his arm and was taken to hospital, where he is in stable condition. His personal security officer was also hurt.

Regarding the incident, Nanded District Magistrate Rahul Kardile said, “Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked around 1:50 p.m. as he was leaving after visiting the Mata Sahib Gurdwara. A PSI from the Special Protection Unit shielded him during the incident. Both individuals sustained minor injuries. The sevadar (volunteer) who carried out the attack has been taken into custody, and an investigation is underway. Mr. Badal sustained a 4-to-5-centimetre wound on his right forearm, which is currently being stitched; his condition is stable.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the phone with Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the wife of Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, to enquire about his condition following the attack.

Badal had been in Nanded since Wednesday. His wife, Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and two to three other family members were present at the site when the attack took place.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed a thorough investigation into the motive behind the assault.

Reacting to the incident, BJP’s Punjab in-charge Narinder Singh condemned the attack, stating that no one should be attacked at a religious place. He described such attacks as highly condemnable and noted that the Sikh religion has always taught peace and seva (selfless service).