Sukhbir Singh Badal shot at by alleged Khalistani activist at the Golden Temple

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday was attacked by an alleged Khalistani activist, Narayan Singh Chaura, at the entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Bullet was fired at Golden Temple premises in Amritsar where SAD leaders, including party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, were offering 'seva' under the religious punishments pronounced for them by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, on December 2.

The man was immediately taken into custody by the police.



"There were proper security arrangements here...Sukhbir ji was properly covered (given cover)...Narayan Singh Chaura (assailant) was here yesterday as well...Today too, he first paid obeisance to the Guru," ANI quoted ADCP Harpal Singh as saying.

He asserted that no one was hurt by the bullet.

Sukhbir Singh Badal's penance
The Shiromani Akali Dal leader on Tuesday performed the duty of a 'sewadar' outside the Golden Temple, a day after the announcement of the 'tankhah' (religious punishment) by the Sikh clergy.

Holding a spear in one hand, Badal, in blue 'sewadar' clothes, was at the entrance of the Golden Temple in his wheelchair, serving his punishment. He has a fractured leg.

Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who was also in a wheelchair because of his age, underwent the same punishment, while former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia washed utensils.

Small boards hung around Badal's and Dhindsa's necks, acknowledging their "misdeeds". Both leaders served as 'sewadar' for one hour.

Pronouncing the 'tankhah' (religious punishment) for Badal and other leaders for the "mistakes" committed by the Shiromani Akali Dal government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017, the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht on Monday directed the senior Akali leader to serve as a 'sewadar', and wash dishes and clean shoes at the Golden Temple.

Before the pronouncement of the edict, Sukhbir Badal admitted his mistakes, including pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case during the SAD's rule in Punjab.

The punishment came nearly three months after Sukhbir Badal was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had also directed Akali leaders Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Daljit Singh Cheema and Gulzar Singh Ranike to clean washrooms at the Golden Temple from 12 noon to 1 pm on December 3, and then clean utensils at the community kitchen after taking a bath.

They would also listen to 'kirtan' for one hour, the Jathedar had said.

Other Akali leaders, including Bibi Jagir Kaur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Bikram Singh Majithia, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Charanjit Singh Atwal and Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, were told to clean washrooms at the Golden Temple for one hour.

They were also directed to clean utensils at nearby gurdwaras.