Sudomani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal arrived at Delhi airport and made a strong political statement, saying the Akali Dal would not allow forces he described as “anti-national” and “anti-Punjab” to destabilise Punjab or the country.
Badal told reporters that some elements were trying to make Punjab and India unstable and promised that his party would always oppose them. He also recalled the political legacy of his late father Parkash Singh Badal, the former Punjab Chief Minister, and how the family has always fought against the forces that seek to bring instability to Punjab and the state.
“Anti-national and anti-Punjab elements wanted to destabilize the state of Punjab and India. Akali Dal will not let this happen,” Sukhbir Badal said. Like his father, Sukhbir Badal said he and the party will fight these elements too and will continue to fight them, as he said.
His remarks come a day after he was attacked at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra, by a man wearing a kirpan on duty to pray. Badal was hurt in the incident, and the attacker was immediately restrained. Badal was reported to be physically stable after the incident, the police said.
The Nanded attack has triggered a political reaction in Punjab and beyond. Security arrangements and the circumstances surrounding the incident were questioned, Badal claimed.
#WATCH | Delhi: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal arrives at Delhi airport.
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2026
He says, "Anti-national and anti-Punjab elements wanted to destabilize the state of Punjab and India. Akali Dal will not let this happen. Like my father, we… pic.twitter.com/jB6oC4PItw
His latest comments in Delhi underline the political significance he attaches to the incident. Badal said that the Shiromani Akali Dal would continue to protect Punjab's interests and maintain communal and religious harmony.
Even the SAD leader’s reference to his father Parkash Singh Badal is significant. For decades, the former Punjab Chief Minister remained one of the central figures in Akali Dal politics. With his father’s political legacy, Sukhbir Badal had sought to emphasize continuity in the party’s stated approach towards Punjab’s social and political stability.
The remarks also come at a time when Punjab’s political context is being closely watched ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The Akali Dal is now trying to establish its political profile in the state and issues of identity, security, religious harmony and regional interests are likely to be at the forefront of the political debate.
Sukhbir Badal’s statement portrays Akali Dal as a political force determined to resist what it perceives as threats to Punjab’s stability. He also tried to reassure party workers and supporters that the recent attack would not intimidate the party or change its political course.
The Nanded incident was the second reported attack on Badal at a large Sikh religious site. In December, he had been targeted at the Golden Temple in Amritsar when a gunman opened fire on him from a few miles away. Badal was not injured in that incident.
Following the recent attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Badal's wife, SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, to inquire about his health. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also spoke to Sukhbir Badal and ordered an inquiry into the incident.
In this context, Badal’s arrival in Delhi and his strong words on the issue are likely to keep the Nanded incident in the political limelight.
The SAD leader’s message was clear: the party will continue political activities in the wake of the attack and will try to fight for Punjab’s interests and communal harmony.
As the investigation of the Nanded attack continues, Badal’s remarks will provoke further political debate. The Akali Dal will need to ensure that they maintain organisational strength and are able to continue to communicate to the people of Punjab peace and political stability.
Badal’s statement therefore has to do with the recent attack but also a larger political message, as it is a statement of the Shiromani Akali Dal that the Shiromani Akali Dal will continue to oppose forces that it believes could affect the stability of Punjab.
