Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal survived an assassination attempt on Wednesday morning when a man opened fire at the entrance of Golden Temple, Amritsar. The incident happened when Badal and other leaders were offering 'seva' under the religious punishments pronounced for them by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs.

Multiple media reports cited Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar as saying that the gunman was identified as Narain Singh Chaura, a former militant linked to Dal Khalsa. He is currently in police custody.

ADCP Harpal Singh said, "There were proper security arrangements here...Sukhbir ji was properly covered (given cover)...Narayan Singh Chaura (assailant) was here yesterday as well...Today too, he first paid obeisance to the Guru..." "No," he says when asked if anyone was hurt by the bullet.

Singh said, "Security arrangements were proper. The person (shooter) tried to do some mischief but he could not succeed."

The police official responded that Badal was not hurt.

SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said, "...First of all, I would like to thank Guru Nanak. Jako Rakhe Saaiyan, Maar Sake Na Koy. 'Sevaks' were offering 'seva' here. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was sitting by the Guru Ram Das Dwar as 'Chowkidar'. Bullet was fired in his direction...I thank Guru Nanak that he saved his 'sevak'...This is a huge incident, what era is Punjab being pushed into?...I would like to ask the CM of Punjab, where do you want to take Punjab?...The attacker was caught on the spot. I also thank the security personnel here. Had they not acted promptly...There should be a high-level judicial enquiry into the incident...We will continue with our 'seva'..."

The former SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal had arrived at the shrine in a wheelchair on Tuesday as well when he participated in the penance wearing a plaque around his neck that acknowledged his "misdeeds" and holding a spear. The punishment was ordered by the Akal Takht after Badal and other SAD leaders were found guilty of taking "wrong political decisions" during their tenure in power in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.

On August 30, the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, along with four other high priests, declared Badal a 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct). The ruling stemmed from controversies during the Akali regime, including granting a pardon in 2015 to controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a decision that angered the Sikh community.

The religious authority directed Badal and other senior Akali leaders to undertake acts of penance, which included cleaning washrooms, washing utensils, and performing other religious duties at the Golden Temple.

Badal, along with leaders such as Sucha Singh Langah, Hira Singh Gabria, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Daljit Singh Cheema, and Gulzar Singh Ranike, cleaned washrooms from noon to 1 PM and then washed utensils at the community kitchen after taking a ceremonial bath. They were also required to listen to an hour of 'kirtan' (devotional singing).

Other prominent leaders, including Bikram Singh Majithia, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Surjit Singh Rakhra, and Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, were assigned similar tasks at the shrine.

Adding to the punishment, the Akal Takht withdrew the prestigious title of 'Fakhre-e-Qaum' (Pride of the Community) from Parkash Singh Badal, former Chief Minister of Punjab and Sukhbir Badal's father, who passed away in April 2023. The decision was made in light of the controversies surrounding the Akali regime.

Badal had admitted to his role in the controversial pardon of Gurmeet Ram Rahim during the Akal Takht’s proceedings. The admission, along with the punishments, comes amidst widespread criticism within the Sikh community over the Akali Dal's decisions during their governance.