India, Aug. 16 -- The attack on Punjab's Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal at Nanded in Maharashtra has brought into focus not only the security failures surrounding the two attempts on his life, but also a disturbing political pattern in Punjab: individuals accused of violence or confrontation are increasingly being turned into symbols of resistance, given political support and, in some cases, followed into electoral politics. The latest incident took place on 13 August at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat in Nanded, where 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, dressed in Nihang attire, allegedly attacked Badal with a kirpan as the latter came down the steps after paying obeisance.

A security officer intervened and prevented the att...