Akali Dal chief and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked at a gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded on Thursday afternoon. According to sources, a Nihang Sikh attacked Mr Badal with a kirpan while he was leaving the place of worship after offering prayers.

Mr Badal sustained an injury to his hand and was taken to a private hospital in Nanded for treatment. Akali Dal sources said the injury was not life-threatening and that he received stitches.

A security personnel deployed with Mr Badal, identified as Santosh Kendre, was also injured during the incident.

Attack took place after prayers

According to a statement from the Nanded Superintendent of Police, the incident occurred at around 1:50 pm at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Deva Ji in Muga village, in the Mudkhed taluka of Nanded district.

The police said Mr Badal had completed his darshan when a Sikh sevadari attacked him with a dagger, causing the injury.

Mr Badal had visited the gurdwara with his family. His wife and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal was also present when the attack took place.

The attacker was identified as Jaspal Singh, a Nihang Sikh. Sources said he had been working at the gurdwara for around two years. He was taken into custody following the attack.

Security personnel intervened

According to sources, the attacker allegedly attempted to stab Mr Badal in the stomach. A security personnel intervened, preventing the attack from reaching its intended target.

A video recorded after the incident showed Mr Badal walking with a saffron cloth wrapped around his right hand.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to the Nanded Superintendent of Police shortly after the incident and sought details. He also directed the police to investigate the motive behind the attack.

Sukhbir Badal faced attack in 2024

This is the second reported attack on Mr Badal in recent years. On December 4, 2024, he survived an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

The gunman in that incident was quickly overpowered and arrested, while Mr Badal remained unharmed.

The 2024 incident occurred while Mr Badal was performing ‘sewadar’ duties after the Akal Takht had pronounced a ‘tankhah’, or religious punishment, against him and several other Akali Dal leaders over what it described as mistakes committed during the party’s rule in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.

Mr Badal has a Z-plus security cover because of a high threat perception.

The selection process for the Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra has reached its final stage, with interviews of 16 shortlisted candidates completed in Ayodhya.

The final round of face-to-face interviews was held at the Trust’s campus on August 11 and 12. The candidates were assessed for their management abilities, leadership potential, vision, strategic planning, personality and expertise in technology.

From 5,585 applications to 16 finalists

The recruitment process began with 5,585 applications for the CEO position. Of these, 3,877 applicants submitted detailed CVs for evaluation.

Candidates were initially assessed on their management capabilities, experience in handling large-scale events and personnel, personal excellence, language skills, vision and strategic planning.

In the second stage, around 111 candidates were invited for online interactions. Their communication skills, professional experience, leadership qualities, vision, personality and technological knowledge were evaluated.

The process eventually narrowed the field to 16 candidates for face-to-face interviews in Ayodhya. The shortlisted group included Army veterans, retired IAS and IPS officers and professionals from government and non-government services.

Search Committee to recommend three names

The three-member Search Committee will now evaluate the final candidates and forward a panel of three names to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

The committee comprises Justice (Retd.) Permod Kohli, Lieutenant General (Retd.) VK Chaturvedi and nuclear scientist Dr Suresh Hawre. The Trust will make the final appointment and announce the new CEO in due course.

The committee said the selection process was designed to ensure a merit-based, transparent and comprehensive assessment for the leadership position.

What will the new CEO oversee?

The CEO will work under the direct supervision of the Trust and will be responsible for its management, administration and future development.

The role includes ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, maintaining financial transparency, coordinating security arrangements with government agencies and overseeing religious rituals and festivals.

The CEO will also be responsible for arrangements concerning devotees and distinguished guests, as well as the day-to-day functioning of the Trust within the powers delegated by it.

The CEO will be appointed on a three-year contract, which can be renewed based on satisfactory performance. The salary and other benefits will be decided through mutual discussion.

A political dispute has erupted between the Congress and the BJP in Uttarakhand over a ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) ceremony held at the Ramlila Ground in Haldwani after a rally addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on August 8.

Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the ‘Shri Ram Sena’ group that conducted the ceremony was associated with the BJP. The BJP has strongly denied having any connection with the group.

Godiyal claimed that the purification ritual was conducted because Kharge belongs to the Dalit community. He accused the BJP of promoting divisions in society on the basis of caste and described the ceremony as a “crime against humanity”.

The Congress leader also questioned the Nainital senior superintendent of police over the alleged lack of action against the right-wing group. He said the incident reflected what he described as a fundamental ideological difference between the Congress and the BJP.

BJP rejects Congress allegations

The BJP rejected the allegations and accused the Congress of targeting the saffron party for political gain.

BJP state spokesperson and Cabinet Minister Khajan Das said certain slogans were raised during Kharge’s rally at the Ramlila Ground that, according to him, hurt the sentiments of the Sanatan community.

Das said the Ramlila Ground has religious significance and claimed that people were angered by the chanting of slogans associated with another religion at the venue.

The BJP also rejected the Congress’s claim that the purification ceremony was linked to Kharge’s caste. Das, in turn, accused the Congress of disrespecting Dalit leaders, naming former Congress president Sitaram Kesri, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar.

The controversy has since led to a political exchange between the two parties, with the Congress questioning the motive behind the ceremony and the BJP maintaining that the ritual was not connected to Kharge’s caste.