Akali Dal Workers Block Highway, Demand CBI Probe into Sukhbir Singh Badal Attack
In a dramatic display of protest, hundreds of Shiromani Akali Dal workers blocked the Amritsar-Pathankot national highway in Gurdaspur on Friday, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the attack on party president Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded, Maharashtra.
A Show of Strength and Anger
The protest, led by former Punjab minister Sucha Singh Langah, who is also the Akali Dal’s Gurdaspur district president, was a reflection of the anger and concern within the party over the second attack on its president within less than a year. “This is not something the Sikh community can take lightly,” Langah said, addressing the gathering of party workers. “We demand a thorough investigation into the incident, and those behind the conspiracy must be exposed.”
Questioning Security Lapses
Langah questioned how the assailant was able to approach Badal inside a major Sikh shrine, Gurdwara Mata Sahib in Nanded. “If strict action had been taken then, this would not have happened again,” he said, referring to the December 2024 shooting at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, when Narain Singh Chaura opened fire at Badal from a distance. The bullet missed after a bystander intervened.
Allegations of Conspiracy
Langah alleged that the earlier attacker had links with security agencies, but provided no evidence for the claim. However, his remarks reflected the party’s suspicion of an organised conspiracy behind the attack. “The masterminds behind the conspiracy must be exposed,” Langah said, calling for a CBI investigation into the entire Nanded episode.
Targeting Opposition Leaders
Langah also targeted Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and other opposition leaders whom he accused of making political remarks about the incident. “Those making fun of this should remember that the same situation can come to them tomorrow,” he said.
A Historical Perspective
Langah also drew a parallel with the Congress’s history in Punjab, referring to the 1984 military operation at the Golden Temple and the damage caused to the Akal Takht. “Dug up the history and see who brought tanks and guns to Darbar Sahib,” he said, referring to the Congress government led by then prime minister Indira Gandhi.
A Peaceful Protest
The protest remained largely peaceful, although the highway blockade caused long queues of vehicles and disrupted traffic for commuters travelling between Amritsar and Pathankot. Langah thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking note of the Nanded attack, saying the prime minister’s intervention had provided some relief to the Sikh community.
A Call for Deeper Investigation
However, Langah argued that the government’s response should be followed by a deeper investigation. “Late, but right,” he said of Modi’s response. The Nanded incident has added another layer to the security concerns surrounding Badal, who has faced criticism and political pressure within Punjab’s Sikh political circles.
A Show of Strength for the Akali Dal
For the Akali Dal, Friday’s road blockade was both a protest over Badal’s security and a show of political strength at a time when the party is seeking to consolidate its position in Punjab. The investigation in Maharashtra will determine whether the Nanded attacker acted alone or was assisted by others.