Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu linked the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple to Badal’s alleged admission of sacrilege. Bittu criticized the Akali Dal, suggesting they should “felicitate” the attacker, Narayan Singh Chaura, similar to their support for Balwant Singh Rajoana. Chaura, a former Khalistani terrorist, was apprehended after firing a shot during the attack.