Harsimrat Kaur Badal has praised Maharashtra Police Inspector Santosh Vaijnath Kendre for what she described as an extraordinary act of courage during the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal in Nanded. She said the police officer placed himself between Badal and the attacker, effectively acting as a human shield and putting his own life at risk.
In a post on X on Friday, Harsimrat said she saluted Kendre for his bravery and sense of duty. She also expressed gratitude to the medical team that treated the injured police officer and to the staff at Yashosai Hospital for their support during the tense aftermath of the incident.
The attack took place on Thursday at a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra, where Sukhbir Badal was present when a man approached him with a kirpan. Security personnel reacted quickly, and the attacker was overpowered. Kendre intervened at a critical moment, shielding the SAD chief from the assault. Reports said the inspector suffered an injury to his right hand while trying to protect Badal.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal Calls Officer’s Action an Example of Courage
Harsimrat’s message focused on the split-second decision taken by Kendre. She said the inspector had placed duty above his own safety and demonstrated what wearing a police uniform represents.
Her statement came as the Badal family expressed its gratitude to the officer for his intervention. The incident could have had far more serious consequences had security personnel not reacted immediately.
The praise for Kendre also highlights the importance of protective personnel in situations where political leaders appear in public, particularly at religious sites where security arrangements can be complicated by the movement of large numbers of devotees.
Police Officer Injured While Protecting Sukhbir Badal
Kendre’s intervention came as the attacker allegedly attempted to strike Sukhbir Badal with a kirpan. Other security personnel also moved quickly to restrain the assailant.
The incident has prompted questions about how the attacker managed to approach the SAD president inside the gurdwara premises despite the security arrangements around him. Badal has Z+ security, making the incident particularly significant from a security perspective.
The attacker, identified in reports as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh from Pune, was arrested after the incident. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the assault and the possible motive behind it.
Harsimrat Thanks Yashosai Hospital Staff
Along with praising the police officer, Harsimrat also acknowledged the doctors and staff at Yashosai Hospital.
She thanked the medical team for its efforts in treating those affected by the incident and helping the family through an extremely stressful period. Her message specifically recognised the hospital staff’s role in providing care and comfort after the attack.
The recognition came as both the police response and the medical treatment became central to the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Sukhbir Badal’s Condition Remained Stable
Sukhbir Singh Badal underwent surgery after sustaining injuries in the attack. Doctors later described his condition as stable, and he was discharged from the hospital on Friday.
Speaking to reporters before leaving Nanded, Badal said the attack would not deter him from working for peace and communal harmony in Punjab. He also suggested that forces seeking to disturb peace in the state were behind attempts to target him, though the circumstances and motive of the Nanded attack remain under investigation.
Attack Raises Questions Over Security
The Nanded incident has attracted attention well beyond Punjab because it occurred at a prominent Sikh religious site and involved a senior political leader who was under security protection.
The swift intervention by Kendre and other security personnel prevented the situation from becoming more serious. At the same time, the incident has raised questions about how the attacker reached Badal and whether security arrangements at the venue require further review.
Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events, the attacker’s movements and the circumstances that allowed him to approach the SAD president. The motive behind the assault will also remain an important part of the investigation.
A Moment That Highlighted Duty Above Fear
For the Badal family, however, the immediate focus has been on the people who acted when the attack unfolded.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s tribute to Inspector Santosh Vaijnath Kendre underlined the personal significance of his intervention. By stepping between Sukhbir Badal and the attacker, the officer accepted a direct risk to his own safety.
Her message also offered a broader reminder of the risks faced by security personnel. In moments that last only seconds, officers can be forced to make decisions that carry consequences for both themselves and the people they are protecting.
The Nanded attack will continue to be examined through the ongoing investigation, but for the Badal family, Kendre’s decision to step forward has already become one of the defining moments of the incident. His actions, along with the response of the wider security team and medical staff, helped ensure that the attack did not result in a more serious outcome.