Union Minister Bittu's Praise for Badal's Assailant As 'Gem Of The Community' Ignites Storm Of Controversy

A former Khalistani militant, Chaura opened fire at Badal during an attempted assassination outside the Golden Temple on Wednesday. Although Bittu condemned the attack, he used the opportunity to criticise the SAD and the Badal family for what he called their "double standards".

"The attack outside the Golden Temple is condemnable as it is a holy place. Sukhbir Singh Badal admitted before Sri Akal Takht Sahib that he had committed sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. Narain Singh Chaura had no personal enmity with Badal. He acted in an emotional state because Badal himself admitted his involvement in the sacrilege," Bittu said.

He further suggested that just as SAD leaders had embraced Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death-row convict in the assassination of former Punjab CM Beant Singh, they should also honor Narain Singh Chaura, whose actions, Bittu said, were driven by emotion. "His photo should be installed in the museum," he added, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Bittu’s comments have drawn sharp criticism. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia responded to him by accusing him of justifying the attack. "On December 4, he condemned the attack outside the Parliament. Now, he has validated it. The BJP has a lot to answer for. Why is their minister justifying an attack inside a gurdwara? Does the BJP support the ideology of Narain Singh Chaura, who is a sleeper cell of the ISI? RDX and an AK-47 rifle have been recovered from his house," Majithia has been quoted by the news agency as saying.

The shooting incident occurred on Wednesday when Chaura, who is believed to have been emotionally triggered by Badal’s past admission of sacrilege, opened fire at Badal from close range while the SAD leader was performing 'sewadar' duties outside the Golden Temple.

Badal's security cover was tightened for his subsequent visit to Takht Kesgarh Sahib in the wake of the attack. Rupnagar Senior Superintendent of Police, Gulneet Singh Khurana, confirmed that comprehensive security arrangements were made. Plainclothes officers were deployed to ensure a safe visit for Badal and other SAD leaders.

The incident has further deepened political tensions, with Bittu's comments fueling the ongoing dispute between the BJP and the SAD. The two parties were once allies but partes ways recently.