Man fires at Sukhbir Badal during Golden Temple 'seva'

AMRITSAR, Dec 4: In a massive security breach at Golden Temple, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal was shot at by a man while he was performing the duty of 'sevadar' on Wednesday. Sukhbir Badal, who was sitting in a wheelchair when the attack happened, escaped unhurt as the bullet hit a wall; a video of which has now surfaced.

The man, identified as Narayan Singh Chaura, was overpowered by some people standing outside the Golden Temple. The video shows a man approaching the area where Sukhbir Singh Badal was seated. He pulls out a pistol and shoots at Sukhbir Badal before being overpowered by the SAD leaders and other security persons.

ADCP Harpal Singh asserted, “Security arrangements were proper. The person (shooter) tried to do some mischief but he could not succeed.”

"This is a big conspiracy to push Punjab back into the fire... A man, Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was serving as 'sewadar' at the entrance of the temple was shot at. I thank God for saving his life... I want to ask (CM) Bhagwant Mann what has he done to the state," said Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema after a man opened fire at party leader Sukhbir Singh Badal.

It is learnt the assailant Chaura had crossed over to Pakistan in 1984 and was instrumental in smuggling large consignments of weapons and explosives into Punjab.

In Pakistan, Chaura authored a book on guerrilla warfare and "seditious" literature. He was also accused in the Burail jailbreak case. He has already served a jail term in Punjab.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring hit out at AAP's Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government and said, “I think this is very wrong. This should not have happened. I consider firing at Sukhbir Singh Badal, 100% negligence of the Government...This shows the condition of law and order situation in Punjab.”

"Whoever fired bullets should be given the strictest punishment. There might be hatred for Sukhbir Badal in the minds of Sikhs...but it doesn't mean you will shoot him." Warring added.

On Monday, Sikh clergy issued the 'tankhah' (religious punishment) for Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Shiromani Akali Dal leader, for mistakes made during the SAD government’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017. As part of the punishment, Badal was directed to serve as a 'sewadar' (volunteer) at the Golden Temple, washing dishes and cleaning shoes.

Sukhbir Badal began his penance on Tuesday, performing his duties outside the Golden Temple for an hour. On Wednesday, he continued his punishment in a blue 'sewadar' uniform, sitting in a wheelchair and holding a spear. Small boards hung around his neck acknowledged his "misdeeds."

The punishment follows Sukhbir Badal's admission of mistakes, including pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case. The 'tankhah' was issued nearly three months after Sukhbir Badal was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht.

On way to Sambhal, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka stopped and sent back to Delhi from Ghazipur border

NEW DELHI, Dec 4: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were stopped and sent back to Delhi by the police at Ghazipur border today. The Congress leaders were on their way to Sambhal in Western Uttar Pradesh.

Visuals showed that the Congress leaders being taken back at the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. Security was tightened in the border area ahead of the intended visit.

Local administration had requested Gandhis to not visit strife-torn area. There is a ban in place against the entry of outsiders in Sambhal till December 10.

Situation worsened in this Western Uttar Pradesh town after clashes ensued during the court-mandated survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in the area. Four people lost their lives. The Mughal-era mosque is at the heart of the tension, which some petitions claim is built on the site of a Hindu temple.