PTC Web Desk: Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday issued his first statement after being discharged from a hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded, a day after he was attacked at a gurdwara.

Speaking after his discharge, Sukhbir Singh Badal said he was not afraid and would continue to stand for Punjab's communal harmony. He also invoked his faith in Guru and said that no one can harm a person who has Guru's hand over them.

Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Deva Ji in Nanded on Thursday. He sustained an injury to his right hand and underwent surgery at a private hospital.

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In his first public remarks following the attack, Sukhbir Singh Badal said he had faced such an incident before but had never allowed fear to dictate his actions. He said he believed he had been protected by the Almighty and that it was only because of God's grace that he survived the attack. "Those who have the Guru's hand over them cannot be harmed," the SAD chief said.

He added that no matter how much effort anyone made against him, everything ultimately remained in the hands of the Almighty. "I am not afraid, nor was I afraid," he said.

'Both attacks happened at holiest places'

Sukhbir Singh Badal also referred to the fact that he had been attacked on two occasions at places he described as among the holiest.

He said the latest incident took place at a gurdwara, just as the earlier attack against him had also occurred at a sacred religious place in Amritsar.

Despite the incidents, Sukhbir Badal said his faith remained firm and that he believed the Almighty had protected him.

"We have come to the land of Guru Gobind Singh. God has protected me," he said.

SAD chief recalls his father's legacy

During his statement, the Akali Dal chief also spoke about his late father and former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. He said his father had never compromised on his principles and had worked to maintain peace in Punjab during his tenure as Chief Minister. "My father, the late Parkash Singh Badal, never compromised," Sukhbir Badal said.

He recalled that when his father was Chief Minister, efforts were made to maintain peace and stability in the state.

'Akali Dal stands for communal harmony'

Sukhbir Singh Badal said the SAD would continue to work for peace and harmony in Punjab. He stressed that the party stands for the state's social and communal unity and would continue to uphold that position despite the attack.

His remarks came a day after the Nanded incident in which a man identified as Jaspal Singh allegedly attacked him with a kirpan.

What happened in Nanded?

According to the Nanded Superintendent of Police's statement, the attack took place at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Deva Ji in village Muga, in the Mudkhed area of Nanded district.

The police said the incident occurred at around 1.50 pm on August 13, after Sukhbir Singh Badal had completed his prayers at the gurdwara.

Sources said he was walking down the stairs after offering prayers when the attack took place. His wife and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal was also present with him.

The accused, identified as Jaspal Singh, was taken into custody. Sources said he was a Nihang Sikh and had been working at the gurdwara for around two years.

Security personnel also injured

Sukhbir Badal was immediately taken to a private hospital in Nanded for treatment. A security personnel deployed with his security team, Santosh Kendre, was also injured during the incident.

Doctors later performed surgery on Sukhbir Badal's injured right hand. He was discharged from the hospital on Friday after his condition was declared stable.

Sukhbir Badal says 'He will continue his work'

Despite the attack, the SAD chief's message was one of determination rather than fear. He said the Akali Dal would continue to stand for Punjab's peace, brotherhood and communal harmony, while expressing faith that everything was ultimately in the hands of the Almighty.