Guruharsahai, August 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) senior leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Sunday said she has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into two attacks on SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, alleging that the incidents were part of a “deep-rooted conspiracy” involving politicians and police officers.
Addressing a large gathering in Guruharsahai during the second phase of the SAD’s “Punjab Bachao” campaign, Harsimrat Badal displayed a post-surgery photograph of Sukhbir Badal’s severely injured arm and the approximately one-and-a-half-foot-long kirch allegedly used in the attack.
She said more than 150 stitches were required to close the wound, including injuries sustained on both sides and internally, after the sharpened weapon penetrated the flesh.
Harsimrat Badal linked the attack at Nanded Sahib with the December 4, 2024 attack on Sukhbir Badal at Sri Darbar Sahib, alleging that both incidents were attempts to eliminate the SAD president and weaken the party.
“This is why I have requested the Union Home Minister to order a NIA probe into both incidents,” she said.
Referring to the December 2024 attack, she alleged that the accused had been facilitated by a Superintendent of Police and secured bail within three months. She described the attacker as an ISI agent, a claim she used to underline the need for a central investigation.
On the Nanded incident, Harsimrat Badal said the assailant, allegedly disguised as a Nihang Singh, initially appeared to escort Sukhbir Badal while he was descending the stairs of Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji before turning around and attacking him.
She said the circumstances surrounding both incidents needed to be investigated to identify those allegedly behind or sponsoring the attacks.
‘Divisive forces will not weaken SAD’
Harsimrat Badal accused what she described as “Guru-Dokhi” and “anti-national” elements of attempting to disturb Punjab’s hard-won peace and said such efforts would not weaken the SAD.
She said Sukhbir Badal was in “chardikala” after his discharge from hospital and claimed that seeing a baaj circling near his hospital window had further strengthened his resolve to serve the Panth.
“Our strength, our pillar, our everything is our Guru. So now, I am challenging these divisive forces – the more you try to attack us and finish us, the stronger we will emerge!” she said.
Addressing the gathering amid slogans supporting the SAD president, Harsimrat Badal appealed to Punjabis to resolve that Punjab should be governed in the interests of Punjabis and that the state’s resources should be used to fulfil their aspirations.
She also called for government jobs to be given to Punjabis, while urging people to oppose what she described as “gangster rule” under the Aam Aadmi Party government. She further called for protecting Punjab’s rights over its waters and Chandigarh.
Harsimrat Badal cautioned people against political forces using religion to promote hatred and division. She invoked the legacy of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and said peace and communal harmony should remain central to Punjab’s governance.
She also appealed to voters to support the SAD as Punjab’s regional party, alleging that people had been betrayed by both the Congress and the AAP.
SAD leaders raise local issues
SAD halka in-charge and senior leader Vardev Singh Mann said Rs 75 crore earmarked by the previous SAD government for a new sewerage system had not been released by the subsequent Congress government, leaving the town facing serious problems.
Mann called for a new sewerage system and demanded restoration of ownership rights for farmers cultivating land along the Sutlej River. He said these rights had been granted during Parkash Singh Badal’s tenure but were subsequently withdrawn.
He also called for the establishment of a girls’ college and a hospital in the constituency if the SAD returned to power.
Senior SAD leaders Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Sikandar Singh Maluka, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Nardev Singh Mann, Joginder Singh Jindu, Sukhpal Nannu, Raj Kumar Dibbipura, Harpreet Singh Hero and SOI president Ranbir Singh Dhillon also addressed the gathering.
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