Gunman Opens Fire at Sikh Leader Outside Golden Temple in Amritsar, No Injuries Reported

Published at: December 4, 2024 10:42 AM

Updated at: December 5, 2024 12:14 AM

Gunman Opens Fire at Sikh Politician Outside Golden Temple in Amritsar, No Injuries Reported

A gunman attempted to shoot Sukhbir Singh Badal, a prominent Sikh politician and former deputy chief minister of Punjab state, outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, northern India, on Wednesday. The assailant, identified as 68-year-old Narain Singh, was apprehended on the spot, and no one was injured in the incident.

The Golden Temple, the holiest site for Sikhs, has a history of significant political and religious tension. The attempted attack has heightened security concerns around the shrine, which was the site of a violent clash between Sikh militants and Indian troops nearly four decades ago.

According to footage captured by ANI, the gunman approached the temple’s entrance, where Badal was seated as part of a penance ritual imposed on him by the Akal Takht, Sikhism's highest authority. In the video, Singh can be seen stealthily pulling a firearm from his pocket and aiming at Badal. A plainclothes policeman standing nearby quickly intervened, pushing the gunman aside before he could cause harm. Despite this, Singh managed to fire one stray shot, which did not strike anyone.

"Thanks to the alertness and swift action of our police, this attack was successfully thwarted," said Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. He confirmed that Singh was arrested at the scene, but the motive behind the attack remains unclear.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, a former ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is a significant political figure in Punjab. His presence at the Golden Temple was part of a religious ceremony, adding a layer of sensitivity to the incident.

The attack has brought renewed focus to the Golden Temple’s fraught history. In 1984, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a military operation, known as Operation Blue Star, to remove armed Sikh separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his supporters from the shrine. The operation left hundreds dead and deeply angered the Sikh community worldwide. Later that year, Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, triggering widespread anti-Sikh riots that claimed thousands of lives.

Sikhism, one of India’s major religions, comprises nearly 2% of the country’s population of 1.4 billion. The community has historically played a significant role in India’s political and cultural fabric, but incidents like Wednesday’s shooting underscore ongoing tensions and security challenges.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the gunman’s motives and whether the attack was part of a broader plan. Meanwhile, heightened security measures are being implemented around the Golden Temple to ensure the safety of visitors and religious leaders. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the site’s enduring significance and the complexities surrounding its history and present-day relevance.