The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its attack on the Punjab government following the death of Gulzar Singh, a resident of Sangrur district, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over allegations surrounding the circumstances that preceded the man’s death.

The BJP has alleged that Singh was subjected to pressure by local leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after he questioned Cheema about the availability of drugs in his village. The party has called for a detailed investigation into the incident and sought criminal action against those allegedly named by Singh before his death.

The controversy centres on an incident during a public interaction in Singh’s village on September 6, when he reportedly raised concerns about the availability of ‘chitta’, a commonly used term in Punjab for illicit synthetic drugs, and spoke about his son’s alleged drug addiction.

According to allegations cited by the BJP, Singh later faced pressure to apologise for raising the issue before the minister. The BJP claims that a local AAP functionary, who was also the village sarpanch, subsequently visited Singh and asked him to apologise.

Singh later consumed poison and died at a hospital after being moved between medical facilities. Police have registered a case related to abetment of suicide, while the circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation.

BJP Demands Resignation of Punjab Chief Minister

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused the Punjab government of failing to protect a citizen who had raised concerns about the drug problem.

The BJP demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann step down, arguing that the government must accept political responsibility if allegations of intimidation by ruling-party workers are established.

The party also demanded the resignation of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and called for an FIR under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with abetment of suicide.

Bhatia said those allegedly named by Singh should be investigated and, if evidence supports the allegations, booked under the relevant legal provisions. The BJP also pointed to Singh’s Scheduled Caste background and sought consideration of provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act if the investigation establishes offences covered by the legislation.

Drug Menace at Centre of Controversy

The dispute has brought Punjab’s long-running drug problem back into the centre of political debate.

Singh had reportedly raised concerns about the availability of drugs in his village and said his family was struggling because of his son’s alleged addiction. Opposition parties have used the incident to question the Punjab government’s handling of drug trafficking and addiction.

The allegations are particularly politically sensitive because the incident occurred in Sangrur district, which is also associated with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Opposition leaders have argued that the case raises broader questions about whether ordinary citizens can publicly question government representatives about issues affecting their communities.

The government and ruling party have yet to accept the BJP’s allegations as established facts, and the investigation will be crucial in determining whether any political functionaries were responsible for the pressure allegedly faced by Singh.

Opposition Parties Intensify Attack on AAP Government

The BJP is not the only opposition party to have criticised the Punjab government over the incident.

The Congress has also demanded action against Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and questioned the government’s handling of the allegations. Congress leaders have argued that the incident reflects wider concerns over the treatment of citizens who raise questions about the drug crisis.

The Shiromani Akali Dal has similarly demanded justice for Singh’s family and called for accountability from those allegedly responsible for intimidating him.

The opposition has linked the case to a broader political debate over drug abuse, policing, public accountability and the right of citizens to question elected representatives.

Questions Over Singh’s Final Statement

A key element of the political controversy is a video that opposition leaders claim was recorded before Singh’s death.

The BJP has said Singh spoke about the events that allegedly followed his questioning of the minister and identified individuals whom he believed had threatened or pressured him.

The evidentiary value of the recording, its circumstances, and the precise sequence of events will have to be assessed by investigating authorities. Any allegations against named individuals will require independent verification through witness statements, forensic evidence, phone records, video footage and other available material.

The BJP has called for the preservation of relevant evidence, including recordings and communications, to ensure that the investigation does not overlook any aspect of the case.

Medical Treatment Also Under Scrutiny

The circumstances surrounding Singh’s medical treatment have also attracted attention.

Reports indicate that Singh was initially taken to a hospital in Sangrur before being referred to another medical facility in Patiala. He was subsequently taken back to Sangrur and later shifted to a private hospital in Ludhiana, where he died.

The sequence of transfers has raised questions about access to timely emergency medical care. While these issues are separate from the allegations of political intimidation, opposition parties have argued that the circumstances should be examined as part of the wider investigation into the death.

Police Investigation Underway

Police have registered a case related to abetment of suicide. The investigation is expected to establish the sequence of events between Singh’s interaction with the minister and his eventual death.

Authorities will need to determine whether any threats, coercion or harassment occurred, who was involved, and whether such conduct had a direct connection with Singh’s decision to consume poison.

The investigation will also have to examine Singh’s statements, the alleged video recording, accounts provided by his family, statements of local residents and AAP workers, and any available digital or physical evidence.

Political Pressure Mounts on Bhagwant Mann Government

The incident has become another major political challenge for the AAP government in Punjab, with opposition parties using the case to question its record on law and order and the drug crisis.

For the BJP, the controversy has provided an opportunity to demand direct political accountability from the Chief Minister and his government. The party has argued that the administration cannot claim to be fighting the drug menace while allegedly failing to protect people who raise concerns about the problem.

For the government, the immediate challenge is to ensure that the investigation is conducted independently and transparently. Establishing the facts will be essential not only for Singh’s family but also for determining whether the serious allegations of political intimidation have any basis.

The case has therefore moved beyond an individual death and become part of a larger political debate in Punjab over drug abuse, governance, accountability and the ability of citizens to question those in power.