A fresh political storm has gripped the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab after Gulzar Singh, a 53-year-old Dalit labourer from Sangrur district, allegedly died by suicide after highlighting the rampant drug crisis in his village.
Gulzar allegedly died after consuming pesticide after trying to question Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the unchecked supply of drugs in his Toor Banzara village in Sangrur that had led to his elder son’s addiction, according to reports.
Gulzar Singh reportedly faced harassment from local leaders and panchayat members to publicly apologise after questioning Cheema during the latter’s visit to Toor Banzara. He released a video shortly before his death, which specifically mentioned Cheema. His
family members later alleged that Gulzar was forcibly cremated without their consent.
Who Was Gulzar Singh?
Gulzar Singh was a member of the Valmiki community who worked as an agricultural labourer in his village. He had repeatedly highlighted the drug crisis in Punjab after failing to stop his eldest son from his drug addiction.
His family claimed Gulzar’s 26-year-old son earned around Rs 800 per day, most of which he spends of drugs, according to The Indian Express. The addiction spiralled out of control when Gulzar’s son reportedly stole his mother’s gold earrings to get money for drugs, and has even sold utensils and LPG cylinders from the house.
The breaking point for Gulzar came when his son sold almost the entire wheat stock that he had worked hard to harvest and store. According to Gulzar’s mother, he tried to question Cheema about the steps taken by the AAP government to check the drug menace that had affected youngsters like his son.
Gulzar’s family said he was repeatedly threatened and humiliated by local leaders for confronting Cheema, and was made to apologise to Baljit Singh, the husband of village sarpanch Bajinder Kaur. On Monday, he left his house in the morning and allegedly consumed pesticide. He was taken to the hospital at noon, where he died later at the night.
‘Forcibly Cremated Without Consent’
Gulzar’s family accused the government of forcibly cremating his body without their consent. His son Lakhwinder Singh alleged that the family was not allowed to see his father’s face before the last rites and that they did not receive his clothes or other belongings.
“The government cremated the body forcibly, without our consent. We should get justice. Cheema sahib should be jailed,” he told news agency ANI. He also alleged that the government had promised the family a job and other assistance but failed to provide them.
A purported video of Gulzar’s final statement showed him raising concerns with Cheema about the availability of ‘chitta’ in the area and saying his own son was also addicted to drugs. His family has demanded action against all persons mentioned in the video.
Congress Plans Protests Against AAP
Meanwhile, the Punjab Congress has announced a protest march on Tuesday towards Cheema’s residence, demanding his immediate arrest in connection with Gulzar’s death.
“Under the leadership of General Secretary In-charge Shri @SachinPilot Ji, Punjab Congress will hold a protest march on September 15 at 11:00 AM, starting from the Punjab Congress Party Office in Chandigarh and marching toward AAP Minister Harpal Singh Cheema’s residence,” said Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi.
The Punjab Congress leaders and I will be taking out a march to the residence of AAP Minister, Harpal Cheema, on 15 September in Chandigarh, demanding justice for the family of Late Shri Gulzar Singh ji, who committed suicide by consuming poison after facing pressure and mental…
— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) September 12, 2026
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also attacked the AAP government over the matter, demanding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to seek Cheema’s resignation and launch an independent investigation. “A dangerous pattern is emerging under Punjab’s AAP government – if you question government’s failures, the response will come in the form of threats and torture,” he said.
BJP leader Amit Malviya called the incident “This is deeply disturbing”, adding that a “government that cannot tolerate questions on the drug menace and intimidates a citizen for raising them has a serious case to answer.”
An FIR has been registered against five accused under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for abetment to suicide and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
