05 December,2024 11:29 AM IST | Chandigarh | mid-day online correspondent
Sukhbir Singh Badal. Pics/AFP
A day after he survived a bid on his life, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday performed the duty of 'sewadar' outside Takht Kesgarh Sahib in Punjab's Rupnagar district amid tight security, reported news agency PTI.
Security has been heightened at the Anandpur Sahib Gurudwara following an attack on Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday.
The former deputy chief minister, a Z+ protectee, arrived at the Ananadpur Sahib shrine surrounded by security personnel. Dressed in a blue 'sewadar' uniform, Badal sat at the entrance of the gurdwara with a spear in one hand.
He is undergoing religious punishment pronounced by the Akal Takht, the temporal body of Sikhs, for "mistakes" committed by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government and his party in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
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Besides the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Akal Takht has asked Badal to perform the service of 'sewadar' at Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Takht Damdama Sahib, and Darbar Sahib in Muktsar and Fatehgarh Sahib for two days each.
On the second day of his penance at the Golden Temple on Wednesday, Badal had a narrow escape as a former Khalistani terrorist fired at him from a close range but missed as he was overpowered by plainclothes policemen.
Police made elaborate security arrangements ahead of Badal's visit to Takht Kesgarh Sahib.
Rupnagar Senior Superintendent of Police Gulneet Singh Khurana said foolproof security arrangements have been made.
Plainclothes policemen have also been deployed and police are keeping an eye on things, officials said.
Besides Badal, SAD leaders and workers were present at the gurdwara.
The assailant, Narain Singh Chaura, attempted to shoot Badal while he was performing 'sewa'. However, Badal was unharmed, and the attacker was quickly overpowered and arrested, reported ANI.
Following the attack, Bikram Singh Majithia, General Secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal, criticized Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar for suggesting that Badal might have orchestrated the incident himself to gain sympathy. Majithia accused Bhullar of making such remarks to protect his position and cover up his failure, reported ANI.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
