Chandigarh, September 8 (Daily Kiran) : Political tensions have escalated in Punjab following the tragic suicide of a worker, Gulzar Singh, in Dirba, linked to the ongoing drug crisis. Senior leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP have directed their ire at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government, demanding the dismissal of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and the filing of a police complaint against him.
Bikram Singh Majithia, the general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal, voiced his concerns on social media, stating, “The price of asking questions: death! Gulzar Singh asked Harpal Cheema about the drug problem, and it is alleged that ‘anti-Guru’ elements pressured him into suicide.” His body is currently at the DMC mortuary. In his last statement, he repeatedly blamed Cheema for his death, emphasizing that he had raised concerns about his son’s drug addiction and questioned what measures were being taken to combat the issue. Following this, he reportedly felt compelled to ingest poison.
Majithia insisted that an immediate FIR should be lodged against Cheema, pointing out that Gulzar’s final words were clear: “Harpal Cheema is responsible for my death.” He called for unity across Punjab to seek justice for Gulzar Singh and demanded Cheema’s removal from the cabinet and prosecution for inciting suicide.
BJP leader Tarun Chugh echoed these sentiments in a statement, criticizing the Aam Aadmi Party’s governance. He claimed that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mann and his party, questioning the government has become a punishable offense. Chugh highlighted another distressing incident from Dirba, where Gulzar Singh had shared a video about the rampant drug problem affecting his community, including his own son, who sold all their possessions to buy drugs. Despite approaching Cheema for help, Gulzar was allegedly met with intimidation rather than support.
Chugh lamented, “Overwhelmed by continuous exploitation and humiliation, Gulzar Singh revealed the sins of those in power before taking his life. The government failed to provide him with medical assistance, forcing him to visit multiple hospitals.” He declared the day a tragic one for Punjab, asserting that the government had forsaken democracy. He insisted that Gulzar’s sacrifice would not be in vain and called for Cheema’s immediate dismissal and legal action against him.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Congress expressed condolences over Gulzar Singh’s death, stating, “Unfortunately, 50-year-old Gulzar Singh has passed away. May his soul rest in peace. His death highlights the grim reality of drug dangers that the AAP government tries to conceal with its massive advertising campaigns. However, the truth cannot be hidden forever. Your hands are stained with the blood of this innocent man.”
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