New Delhi, August 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and inquired about the health of her husband, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, following an attack on him at a gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded.

According to sources, the Prime Minister called Harsimrat Kaur after Badal was allegedly attacked by a Nihang within the gurdwara premises. The SAD leader sustained an injury to his hand and was subsequently taken to a hospital, police said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also took note of the incident and ordered an inquiry. He sought a detailed report from the Nanded Superintendent of Police and later spoke to Badal over the phone to inquire about his condition.

Badal is understood to have informed Fadnavis that he was stable. The accused was arrested immediately after the incident, and the Chief Minister directed authorities to investigate the motive behind the attack, according to sources from the Chief Minister’s Office.

SAD national vice-president Sanjeev Talwar strongly condemned the incident, saying the party learned about the attack through media reports before contacting those accompanying Badal.

He said Badal was attacked while on his way to pay obeisance and sustained injuries to his hand. Talwar also said there were reports that Badal’s bodyguard may have been injured in the incident.

Describing Badal as a strong advocate of Hindu-Sikh unity, Talwar said the attack should be viewed as an assault on the unity and integrity of Punjab.

“This is not merely an attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal, but an attack on the unity and integrity of Punjab,” he said.

Talwar also raised concerns over the security arrangements for the SAD chief, noting that Badal is a former Deputy Chief Minister and enjoys Z+ security. He said the incident could be considered a serious security lapse.

The attack comes nearly two years after Badal was targeted in an attempted shooting at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in December 2024 while performing ‘seva’. In that incident, the alleged attacker, Narain Singh Chaura, reportedly attempted to fire at Badal but was overpowered before causing serious harm.

The 2024 incident occurred after the Akal Takht declared Badal a ‘tankhaiya’, or guilty of religious misconduct, over certain decisions and actions of the SAD-led Punjab government between 2007 and 2017. As part of his religious punishment, Badal performed ‘seva’ at the Golden Temple and other Sikh shrines.

Following that attack, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia had also questioned the security arrangements surrounding Badal and criticised the Punjab Police.