Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday condemned the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, praising the Punjab Police for averting what he described as a “very big” tragedy.
Speaking in the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conspiring to tarnish Punjab’s reputation and questioned its silence on violent crimes in Delhi.
“Very big powers are conspiring to defame Punjab and its people,” Kejriwal said. “The Punjab Police not only prevented a major tragedy but also demonstrated exemplary efforts to maintain law and order.”
Kejriwal criticised the BJP for raising the issue of the attack on Badal while remaining silent on incidents of “murders, rapes, and shootings in Delhi,” where the police operate under the Central government.
The attack on Badal occurred outside the Golden Temple on Wednesday. A former terrorist, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, opened fire at him from close range while Badal was performing the duties of a sewadar (volunteer). The shots missed as a plainclothes policeman overpowered the attacker, preventing further violence.
The incident, captured by media cameras outside the Sikh shrine, took place during the second day of Badal’s penance for “mistakes” attributed to the SAD government during its tenure in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident.