CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal Friday said he would never allow anti-national and anti-Punjab forces to disturb peace in the state, in his first public reaction after surviving a kirpan attack at a gurdwara on the outskirts of Nanded town in Maharashtra.Sukhbir was discharged from hospital on Friday afternoon after being treated for his injuries.Asserting that such acts could never scare him and he would never bow down before these forces, he said, “We can give any sacrifice for the sake of religious harmony and progress of the country and Punjab. This is and will remain our topmost priority.”Sukhbir’s wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal thanked Maharashtra police’s special protection unit inspector Santosh Vaijnath Kendre for saving her husband’s life, saying he stood like a human shield between Sukhbir and his attacker.
Guru saved my life: Sukhbir
Sukhbir said, “My father Parkash Singh Badal never compromised against these forces, who were prevalent earlier also. CM Badal always maintained communal harmony between all religious communities in Punjab. Respect for all religions was the cornerstone of our state policy.”Alleging that forces “inimical to this philosophy” had targeted him one-and-a-half years back on the premises of the Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar, Sukhbir said, “Now I have been attacked in one of the most holiest places associated with Guru Gobind Singh ji.”Thanking Guru Gobind Singh for safeguarding him on his land, the Shiromani Akali Dal president said, “Even though the enemies of peace tried their best to eliminate me, Guru Sahab came to my rescue. I thank him with all my heart as I strongly believe in the adage that no harm can be done to those who are blessed by the Guru, try as one might.”Sukhbir Badal’s wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Friday thanked Maharashtra police’s special protection unit inspector Santosh Vaijnath Kendre for saving her husband from the attacker at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Deva in Nanded.In a social media post along with a picture alongside the inspector, she wrote, “I salute Santosh Vaijnath Kendre for showing heroic courage in saving Sukhbir Singh Badal ji’s life during the attack in Nanded. Santosh, you stood like a human shield between Sukhbir ji and the attacker, putting your own life at risk to protect his. In doing so, you reminded us of what it truly means to wear the uniform — to put duty before self and courage before fear. The Badal family bows to you with deepest gratitude. Your bravery will never be forgotten. May Waheguru bless you with a speedy recovery and also, a special mention for the doctors and the entire staff at the Yashosai Hospital for their relentless service in comforting us.”She, along with family members, paid obeisance at Takhat Hazur Sahib for thanksgiving.
