After Nanded attack, SAD president Sukhbir Badal to become active on ground from Tuesday

Return to public life

Twelve days after an attack at a gurdwara in Maharashtra's Nanded Sahib, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal returned to public life on Tuesday by paying obeisance at Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo town in Bathinda district, as reported by The Times of India. His wife, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and senior party functionaries accompanied him, along with party activists and office bearers including Balwinder Singh Bhundar and Daljit Singh Cheema, who gathered in large numbers at the Takht, where flex banners displayed his image with prayers for divine blessings.

With his hand still in a cast, Sukhbir expressed gratitude for his safety, stating that those who carried out the attack were unfamiliar with the gurdwara's maryada. He said he felt duty-bound to offer thanksgiving after spending ten days away while supporters prayed for him and the party.

Message on Punjab's peace

Sukhbir stressed the need to save Punjab from forces who "do not consider Punjab as their home." Speaking at the Takht, he was reported as saying, "Certain forces are hell bent on playing with the hard-earned peace and communal harmony in the state. Those forces want to eliminate the Sikh leadership of Punjab. Their aim is to disturb the peaceful fabric of the state but SAD and I will not allow this to happen." He added, as quoted by The Times of India, "I bowed before the almighty to provide blessings so that SAD could again fight for peace, communal harmony and prosperity of Punjab and we could again ensure a happier Punjab."

Sukhbir had been attacked in Nanded on August 13, an incident described by The Tribune as a "murderous attack." Neither report identifies the attackers.

Scheduled engagements

Sukhbir was set to resume his public activities from Tuesday nearly two weeks after the attack, with The Tribune reporting that the scheduled visit to Takhatath Damdama Sahib on Tuesday afternoon had been announced by party officials. The Tribune, citing party in-charge for Talwandi Sabom, said that after the visit, Badal would go to his residence at Badal village.

The Tribune reported that Sukhbir was scheduled to attend the party's Punjab Bachao Rally at Malout on Wednesday, with the Youth Akali Dal (YAD) planning a roadshow to welcome him. Sources told The Tribune Tom that after Malout he would travel to Amritsar to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple, and he is scheduled to address the SAD's political conference at Baba Bakala in Amritsar district on August 28. He was in Delhi at the time of the reporting.

The Tribune also noted that while Sukhbir recuperated from his injury, his wife, Satnase, a four-time Bathha MP, had been leading the party's main events, including rallies.

The Times of India indicated Shubhbir was to preside over the party rally at Malout on Wednesday, aligning with The Tribune's schedule.