Don't do politics on dead bodies: Punjab CM to Rahul Gandhi on villager's death
Gulzar Singh, 47, a Dalit daily wager from Tur Banjara village in Sangrur district, died on Monday night after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the death of a Sangrur villager who allegedly consumed poison after raising the issue of drug availability with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, accusing the opposition of playing politics over the tragedy.
Mann said the police had already arrested accused persons in the case and asserted that no drug trafficker would be spared under his government.
Responding to Gandhi, Mann said, "Rahul Gandhi ji, don't do politics over dead bodies, Punjabis do not like this kind of politics."
He also claimed that Congress leaders who visited Singh’s village to raise the issue politically were driven away by local residents.
Mann held successive Congress and Akali Dal-BJP governments responsible for the spread of drugs in Punjab and reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling the menace.
Gandhi earlier attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, describing the incident as part of a "dangerous pattern" in which those who question the government’s failures are allegedly subjected to threats and humiliation.
He demanded that Mann seek Cheema’s resignation and ensure an independent and impartial investigation.
Gulzar Singh, 47, a Dalit daily wager from Tur Banjara village in Sangrur district, died on Monday night after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance.
His family has alleged that Singh was pressured and humiliated after he questioned Cheema about the availability of drugs in the area during a village programme on September 6.
Singh had also reportedly spoken about his son’s addiction to "chitta", a commonly used term for heroin.
The controversy stems from a purported video of Singh recorded before his death.
In the video, he is heard questioning Cheema about the availability of drugs in his area and referring to his son’s addiction. Singh also reportedly held the village sarpanch responsible for his death.
CASE REGISTERED AGAINST FIVE
Police have registered a case against village sarpanch Baljinder Kaur, her husband Baljit Singh and three others for alleged abetment to suicide, harassment and offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Three accused have been arrested, while Cheema has not been named in the FIR.
The sarpanch’s family has denied allegations of intimidation and described them as "completely baseless".
Punjab Police has constituted a four-member Special Investigation Team to conduct a detailed probe.
The National Human Rights Commission has also taken cognisance of the matter and sought a report from the state government.
With the FIR, SIT investigation and NHRC proceedings underway, the findings of the inquiry are expected to determine whether the allegations of intimidation and caste-based harassment are substantiated and what further action may follow.