Sukhbir Badal Calls Grenade Attack on Kalia Part of Conspiracy to Destabilize Punjab

• Apr 9, 2025

Former Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday visited the residence of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia following the grenade attack on his home in Jalandhar. Badal condemned the incident, calling it part of a broader conspiracy to destabilize Punjab and disrupt its communal harmony.

He emphasized that the unity between the Hindu and Sikh communities in Punjab remains unshaken despite such cowardly acts. “These attempts to sow discord will fail. Hindu-Sikh unity is rock solid,” Badal said.

Expressing disappointment with the state government’s response, Badal accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of shirking his responsibilities. “The situation in Punjab is disturbingly similar to the early 1980s,” he warned, referring to recent violent incidents including bomb blasts at police stations along the border, the attack on Thakurdwara temple in Amritsar, and the vandalism of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statues.

Badal claimed these incidents appear to be part of a calculated effort to provoke unrest among different communities. He also criticized the growing influence of Delhi-based Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders over the Punjab government. “CM Mann has effectively handed over the state to leaders in Delhi. This kind of governance is unprecedented,” he stated.

Highlighting what he called a systematic targeting of opposition voices, Badal recounted a past attack on him at Sri Darbar Sahib, alleging that the Amritsar police failed to investigate the matter properly. “Despite being the victim, my statement was never recorded. The Police Commissioner didn’t even visit the crime scene, and the challan was deliberately weakened to ensure the accused got bail,” he said.

Badal called for accountability and demanded stronger action from the state administration to ensure peace and justice in Punjab.