The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the death of Daljit Singh, a 35-year-old resident of Mansa district, allegedly due to a drug overdose. At a press conference in New Delhi, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of failing to contain the drug menace and questioned the state government's conduct in handling the aftermath.

What Happened in Mansa

Daljit Singh's family allege he died of a drug overdose, though police officials have stated the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after a postmortem examination. Following his death, family members placed his body on a main road on Tuesday and blocked traffic, demanding accountability for the alleged availability of drugs in the area.

The protest turned tense when demonstrators clashed with police. Officers subsequently removed the body from the site — a move that drew fierce criticism from the family and, later, from the BJP, which alleged the action was deeply disrespectful to the deceased and to the sentiments of the Sikh community.

BJP's Allegations at the Press Conference

Speaking in New Delhi, Bhatia described Daljit's death as a 'tragic reflection of Punjab's worsening drug problem.' He quoted the family's account directly: 'Our brother, Daljit Singh, who was just 35 years old, has died, and his family says his death was caused by a drug overdose.'

Bhatia alleged that the Punjab Police, acting on the Chief Minister's instructions, forcibly removed the body from the family's custody. 'Bhagwant Mann could not give him respect while he was alive, and even after his death, he and his government have failed to respect his mortal remains,' he said.

The BJP spokesperson also invoked the cultural and religious significance of the turban in Sikh identity, alleging that the manner in which the deceased was handled during the police removal was 'merciless' and an affront to Sikh dignity. 'His hair is touching the ground while uniformed police personnel stand there, dragging his body mercilessly,' Bhatia said.

Sharp Political Rhetoric Against Bhagwant Mann

Bhatia went further, alleging without offering evidence that 'Bhagwant Mann is a puppet of those who supply chitta (heroin) in Punjab.' He also used a wordplay on the Chief Minister's name, calling him 'Bhagoda' — meaning a fugitive — and accusing him of shirking his responsibilities. 'The people of Punjab will teach this absconding Chief Minister such a lesson that the paapi AAP will remember it for generations,' he declared.

In a pointed rhetorical flourish, Bhatia labelled the ruling party the 'Arajak Afeemi Party' — a play on AAP's initials combining the Hindi words for anarchic and opium — and stated: 'The BJP will crush their arrogance.'

The Parvinder Singh Jhota Reference

Bhatia also raised the case of Parvinder Singh Jhota, whose death he described as an alleged murder. He said Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, had been protesting despite his personal grief and was standing in solidarity with Daljit Singh's family. 'Protesters are being detained, and if someone is working to detain the demonstrators, it's Bhagwant Mann,' Bhatia alleged.

Context and What Comes Next

Punjab's drug problem has been a politically charged issue for years, with successive governments facing criticism over narcotics trafficking, particularly of heroin locally referred to as 'chitta.' The AAP had made eliminating the drug menace a central plank of its 2022 election campaign. Critics argue the situation on the ground has not improved significantly. The BJP's broadside comes as both parties prepare for future electoral cycles in the state, making accountability over law and order a key battleground. The Punjab government had not issued a formal response to the BJP's allegations at the time of reporting.