Milpitas(California)North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal strongly condemns the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal at Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra and expresses concern over the security lapse surrounding the incident. Sukhbir Singh Badal was reportedly attacked near a gurdwara in Nanded and sustained an injury to his hand. A security personnel was also reportedly injured, while one person has been detained in connection with the incident. Chahal said that violence has no place at a sacred Sikh shrine or anywhere in a democratic society. Differences of political, religious or personal opinion must never be allowed to turn into physical attacks. Every individual, regardless of political affiliation, has the right to safety and security.“NAPA strongly condemns this shocking and unacceptable attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal. Sacred Sikh institutions must remain places of peace, spirituality and respect, not venues for violence. We hope that Sukhbir Singh Badal makes a full and speedy recovery, and we stand firmly against every form of political or religious violence,” Chahal said. NAPA welcomed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s decision to order an inquiry into the incident. Chahal said the investigation must be thorough, impartial and transparent, and should establish how the attacker was able to approach a prominent political leader at a sensitive religious location.
“The inquiry should not be limited to identifying the individual attacker. The authorities must also examine the entire security arrangement, identify any negligence or security failures, and determine whether anyone else was involved in planning or facilitating the incident,” Chahal said. NAPA also urged the authorities to ensure that security arrangements at major Sikh religious institutions remain adequate without disturbing the sanctity and openness of these sacred places. Any security failure at such an important Sikh shrine can have consequences far beyond one individual incident. Chahal appealed to political leaders and the Sikh community to maintain restraint and avoid speculation until the investigation establishes the facts. “At a time when society is already witnessing deep political and social divisions, incidents of violence only create greater mistrust.
The answer must be justice through the law, not retaliation or confrontation,” he said. NAPA expressed solidarity with Sukhbir Singh Badal and his family and wished him a swift and complete recovery. The organization also called upon the Maharashtra government to make the findings of its inquiry public and take appropriate action against anyone found responsible for the security lapse or the attack