Bathinda MP alleges deep-rooted conspiracy, displays post-surgery image of SAD chief’s injured arm during Punjab Bachao rally in Guruharsahai

Guruharsahai, 16 August (H.S.): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) senior leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Sunday said she had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the two attacks on SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Addressing a large gathering during the second phase of the party’s “Punjab Bachao” campaign in Guruharsahai, Harsimrat alleged that the attacks were part of a “deep-rooted conspiracy” involving political and police elements.

During her address, she displayed a post-surgery photograph of Sukhbir Badal’s injured arm and also referred to the dagger allegedly used in the recent attack at Nanded Sahib. She claimed that more than 150 stitches were required to treat the injury.

Harsimrat linked the Nanded incident with the December 4, 2024 attack on Sukhbir Badal at Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar and demanded that both cases be investigated together by the NIA. She alleged that several questions concerning the earlier attack and the role of those who may have facilitated the accused remained unanswered.

Referring to the Nanded attack, she said the assailant allegedly approached Sukhbir Badal while he was coming down the stairs of Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji before suddenly attacking him. She said a detailed investigation was necessary to identify those allegedly behind the incident.

Harsimrat asserted that forces opposed to Punjab’s peace and communal harmony would not be allowed to weaken the SAD. She said Sukhbir Badal was recovering after being discharged from hospital and remained determined to continue serving the Panth.

She also appealed to Punjabis to safeguard the state’s political, economic and constitutional interests. Raising issues of government employment, law and order, river waters and Chandigarh, she said Punjab’s resources and opportunities should primarily benefit its people.

Harsimrat further urged people to reject attempts to use religion to create divisions in society and said peace and communal harmony should remain central to Punjab’s politics, citing former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal’s approach.

SAD constituency in-charge Vardev Singh Mann also addressed the rally and raised local issues, including sewerage infrastructure, ownership rights of farmers cultivating land near the Sutlej and the demand for a girls’ college and hospital in the constituency.

Senior SAD leaders Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Sikandar Singh Maluka, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and others were also present.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH