A tragic loss of life in Sangrur district has sparked an intense political showdown in Punjab over the rampant drug crisis and administrative responsiveness. Gulzar Singh, a resident of Dirba, had publicly confronted Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema regarding the open sale and accessibility of heroin (locally known as chitta) in his village and across the state. Following the public interaction, Singh was allegedly subjected to severe pressure and harassment, which drove him to ingest poison. He died on September 7 during medical treatment. The tragic incident has placed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government under heavy criticism from opposition parties, who are questioning the reality of the state's anti-drug initiatives.
Distressed Father's Public Plea and Family Hardship
Gulzar Singh, living in Dirba within Sangrur district, had been enduring severe hardship due to his son's chronic addiction to synthetic drugs. The relentless struggle against substance abuse had devastated the family financially. In an effort to fund medical care, rehabilitation, and living expenses, the family had been forced to sell off almost all of their property and assets over time. Despite their immense sacrifices, the local drug trade continued unabated in their vicinity, driving Singh to desperation.
Seeking systemic action, Singh took the opportunity during a public event to directly question Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. He made an emotional appeal to the minister, asking the government to take decisive measures to destroy drug supply chains and safeguard his son along with the broader youth of Punjab from drug addiction.
Allegations of Systemic Pressure and Final Video Message
Rather than receiving official support or intervention, Gulzar Singh reportedly faced intense harassment and retaliation from local representatives. Statements from political leaders and family allegations indicate that the village sarpanch and local figures pressured Singh to tender an apology to Minister Cheema for publicly challenging him on the drug menace. Overwhelmed by the harassment and mounting mental distress, Singh decided to end his life.
Prior to consuming the fatal substance, Singh recorded a video message detailing the circumstances surrounding his decision. In the video, he explicitly held four individuals responsible for his extreme distress, naming Minister Harpal Singh Cheema alongside local village leaders. Although he was rushed to a medical facility for treatment, Singh succumbed on September 7.
Opposition BJP Attacks AAP Leadership
The incident ignited swift backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which used the tragedy to highlight what it described as governance failures in Punjab. During a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia stated that Singh's death exposed the harsh reality behind the AAP government's public claims of curbing the drug trade. Bhatia alleged that illegal narcotics networks continue to flourish under the administration of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann without effective law enforcement intervention.
Bhatia emphasized that Gulzar Singh was merely a grieving father who had lost his family's economic assets fighting his son's addiction and was seeking protection for Punjab's youth. Instead of receiving assistance, Bhatia noted, Singh was subjected to systematic intimidation by local leaders and forced into taking his own life. Similarly, BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X, criticizing the AAP leadership's governance approach. Malviya argued that the state government acts aggressively against citizens seeking accountability while prioritizing public relations over destroying drug distribution networks. He asserted that a government that intimidates citizens asking questions about drug safety must be held accountable to the public.
Government Response and Police Investigation
Amid the political storm, representatives of the ruling AAP defended their record, stating that the government's dedicated initiative, 'Yuddh Nashe Ke Viruddh' (War Against Drugs), has significantly disrupted illegal networks across Punjab. Government officials assert that law enforcement has carried out extensive operations, arrested major suppliers, and confiscated substantial quantities of illicit substances.
Concurrently, local authorities in Sangrur have initiated legal action regarding Singh's death. Law enforcement officials registered a case against a local sarpanch and two other individuals under charges related to abetment of suicide and harassment. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Patiala Range, Kuldeep Singh Chahal, informed reporters that the post-mortem examination was conducted before turning the body over to the family for final rites. DIG Chahal clarified that police are actively investigating all aspects of the allegations while denying any claims of police harassment during the process.
