Hours after a gunman tried to shoot at Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal while he was guarding Golden Temple premises, he and his wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal were seen washing utensils as a part of religious punishment. The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority for Sikhs, pronounced this punishment for “mistakes” committed by the SAD government in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.  

The directive required senior Akali leaders, including Prem Singh Chandumajra, Daljit Singh Cheema and Bibi Jagir Kaur, to serve as ‘sewadars’ (volunteers) by cleaning washrooms, dishes and shoes at the temple. The punishment followed Sukhbir Badal’s admission of errors, including the controversial pardon granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case during his tenure.

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The action came nearly three months after Badal was declared ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht.

Earlier today, Badal was attacked by a man during his service at the temple. Videos showed a man identified as Narain Singh from Dera Baba Nanak, pulling out a gun while approaching Badal, who was seated in a wheelchair due to a leg injury. A quick intervention by a bystander prevented harm, though a bullet struck a nearby wall.

Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated, “Considering the threat perception, extensive security arrangements were in place, including an AIG-rank officer, two SPs, and 175 personnel. Our vigilance foiled the attack.”