Punjab Newsline | Ludhiana

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has described the attack on her husband and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal as a “political conspiracy,” saying the incident would not break the morale of the family or the party.

Addressing a gathering held in Isru village of Khanna district to commemorate Goa Liberation Movement martyr Karnail Singh Isru, Harsimrat said the past 48 hours had been extremely difficult for her and her family. However, she asserted that their resolve remained strong.

“You try to break us, we will emerge stronger,” she said.

Sukhbir Badal was scheduled to attend the event but could not make it due to the attack. Harsimrat said he was attacked while offering prayers for peace and prosperity in Punjab.

Sukhbir was attacked on Thursday at a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra, allegedly by a Nihang who struck him with a kirpan while he was offering prayers. He suffered an injury to his right hand. The accused was arrested by police at the spot. After receiving initial treatment, Sukhbir was discharged from the hospital and was later admitted to a hospital in Gurugram for further treatment.

Harsimrat alleged that the incident was the second attack on Sukhbir in two years and suggested that a political conspiracy could be behind it. She claimed that attempts to disturb peace in Punjab had been continuing since 2015.

Reacting strongly to the alleged attacker, Harsimrat said a person who carries out such an act at a sacred religious place cannot be considered a representative of the true Sikh spirit.

She said the SAD was working to promote peace in Punjab, while some forces were allegedly trying to create an atmosphere of hatred.

Harsimrat also said Sukhbir had sent her a message asking her to continue working among the people on his behalf. She described his connect with the people as his greatest strength and maintained that despite the difficult circumstances, the resolve of the party and the family remained undiminished.