Opposition hounds AAP govt in Punjab as NCSC chief meets relative of ‘poisoned’ daily wager

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has sought a detailed report on the death of Gulzar Singh, a daily wager from Punjab who allegedly committed suicide after being “threatened”. NCSC chairman Kishor Makwana met the family of the deceased on Thursday (September 10, 2026) even as opposition parties cornered the AAP government.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP, have demanded the immediate removal of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the death of the 47-year-old on the night of September 7 after he allegedly ingested poison. The opposition says he was pressured by local AAP leaders to apologize for questioning Mr Cheema over the drug menace in his village during an event in Dirba in Sangrur district on September 6.

Mr Makwana, who visited Gulzar Singh’s native village of Toor Banjara, said Mr Gulzar spoke against the drug menace that was destroying the lives of the youth in the area.

“He (Gulzar) was threatened and that led him to take the extreme step,” he said, adding that “Mr. Gulzar’s family demanded strict action against those responsible for the threat along with security for the family.”

The NCSC on Tuesday issued a notice to the Punjab government and asked the chief secretary and director general of police to submit a detailed report on Mr. Gulzar’s death within five days.

The police registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and detained five people under Section 108 (incitement to suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Call for Cheema’s arrest

The Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab State Assembly, Congress’s Partap Singh Bajwa, demanded the immediate arrest of Mr Cheema. He said, “The family claimed that Gulzar Singh’s last rites were performed without their consent and with heavy police deployment. The family refused to perform his Bhoga until justice was served.”

“The allegations leveled by Gulzar Singh’s family are extremely disturbing. The family who lost their loved one now say that even his last rites were performed against their will. If the government has nothing to hide, why was such a heavy police presence required and why was the family’s consent allegedly ignored?” asked Mr. Bajwa. He added, “The Punjab government cannot apply the law selectively depending on the political position of the person facing charges.”

Attacking the state government, senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said: “Gulzar Singh’s family again demands justice. They tell how police cremated Mr. Gulzar without consent. This Dalit family got ‘nothing but bones’.” He criticized the government’s insensitive approach and accused it of playing with the emotions of a poor Dalit family.

BJP state president Kewal Singh Dhillon said the BJP would ensure justice for Mr. Gulzar’s relatives and would not back down in this fight for justice. “The incident has raised serious questions about the functioning of the Punjab government and the safety of the people. The government, which has made a strong claim to eradicate drugs, will have to answer to the people of Punjab,” he said.

Punjab, media in-charge of AAP Baltej Pannu said opposition parties are trying to exploit caste and religious sentiments for political gain. “AAP’s policy is to build schools and hospitals. We have not used religion or caste and will not do so in future. AAP will not allow any political party to introduce divisive and dirty politics in Punjab,” he said.

Published – 10 Sep 2026 23:03 IST