Sukhbir Badal targets AAP, Congress and Waris Punjab De at ‘Punjab Bachao’ Rally in Malout, his first rally after assassination bid
SAD chief says forces that disrupted Punjab’s peace in the 1980s are active again; vows to safeguard peace and communal harmony
Babushahi Bureau
Malout/Chandigarh, August 26, 2026: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday launched the second phase of the party’s ‘Punjab Bachao’ campaign with a rally in Malout, where he launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress and Waris Punjab De.
The rally marked Badal’s first major public gathering following an alleged assassination attempt against him. Addressing a large gathering, the SAD president alleged that forces responsible for disturbing Punjab’s peace during the 1980s had once again become active while presenting themselves as devout Sikhs.
Badal said he was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the legacy of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’ and the SAD’s stated commitment to peace and communal harmony.
He alleged that those who were behind the assassinations of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal and Bhai Shaminder Singh, and the attack on Gurcharan Singh Tohra, were active again.
Appealing to people to unite against what he described as divisive forces, Badal said these groups were attempting to disturb Punjab’s peace and create lawlessness in the state.
‘Target Is to Eliminate SAD From Punjab Politics’
Badal alleged that the developments were part of an effort to weaken the SAD, which he described as Punjab’s only major regional political party.
He claimed that those working against the SAD were acting at the behest of agencies and political parties based outside Punjab that wanted to remove the Akali Dal from the state’s political landscape.
Responding to criticism directed at the Badal family, he said the perception of widespread public resentment against the family was being promoted by what he called “divisive elements”.
He alleged that such forces were unhappy because the SAD was opposing attempts to disturb communal harmony and was preventing the alleged capture of gurdwara offerings.
Badal Attacks Amritpal Singh
Badal also targeted Bhai Amritpal Singh, alleging that his politics could take Punjab back to the troubled period of the 1980s.
Questioning Amritpal Singh’s emergence as the “heir” of Punjab, Badal referred to his earlier appearance as a clean-shaven youth after returning from Dubai and questioned the transformation and political narrative surrounding him.
Badal also criticised Amritpal Singh over the use of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib during a protest march to a police station, describing the act as contrary to Sikh rehat maryada.
He further questioned Amritpal Singh’s position on drug abuse while referring to allegations concerning his brother’s drug addiction.
Badal also referred to allegations linking Amritpal Singh to a conspiracy concerning the murder of Waris Punjab De activist Gurpreet Singh Harinau, who, he claimed, had challenged him publicly. These allegations were presented by Badal in his political address.
He also questioned the political background of Amritpal Singh’s family and alleged that they had traditionally been associated with the Congress, while accusing them of not taking a stand against the attack on Sri Darbar Sahib or the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.
Attack on Bhagwant Mann Government
Badal also criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of disrespecting Sikh religious sentiments during his visit to the Bargari protest site and Sri Damdama Sahib.
He alleged that Mann had visited the locations while under the influence of alcohol and had made remarks that were disrespectful towards Sikh Gurus and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Badal also criticised the state government’s legislation concerning sacrilege, alleging that it was contrary to Sikh maryada and claiming that the SAD was the only party to oppose it.
He questioned why, according to him, political groups that frequently raise issues concerning Sikhism were not equally critical of the Congress over its role in the 1984 events.
Badal Highlights SAD’s Religious Heritage Projects
Defending the SAD’s record, Badal said the party had undertaken several projects associated with Sikh and religious heritage.
He cited the development and beautification of the surroundings of Sri Darbar Sahib, establishment of Virasat-i-Khalsa and memorials dedicated to the Ghallughara and Banda Singh Bahadur, besides the upgradation of Durgiana Mandir and Ram Teerath Sthal.
He also referred to the cases of alleged sacrilege involving Sri Guru Granth Sahib and claimed that around 600 such cases had been reported over the past decade under Congress and AAP governments.
Badal said no member of the Badal family or SAD leader had been named in any of these cases.
SAD Promises Higher Shagun, Free Education
Badal also announced a series of welfare measures that he said would be implemented if the SAD returned to power in Punjab.
He announced that the Shagun grant for marriages of girls from underprivileged families would be increased to Rs 1 lakh. He also promised to increase the quantity of flour provided under the Aata-Daal scheme to 50 kg.
He further announced free education up to the graduation level and said a future SAD government would reserve 50 per cent of seats in private schools and colleges for students from economically weaker sections.
Badal congratulated party constituency in-charge Harpreet Singh Kotbhai for organising the rally and thanked the youth who accompanied his convoy to the venue on motorcycles.
Senior SAD leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar and other party leaders also addressed the gathering.