Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday, 9 September demanded the resignation of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and called for an independent, impartial investigation into the death of Gulzar Singh, a 50-year-old Dalit resident of Sangrur district, Punjab, who allegedly died by suicide after consuming pesticide. Gandhi also urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to ensure Cheema's name is registered in the First Information Report (FIR).

What Rahul Gandhi Said

Gandhi took to social media platform X to allege a pattern of intimidation within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government. 'A dangerous pattern is emerging in Punjab's AAP government — if you question government failures, the response will come in the form of threats and torture,' he wrote.

Gandhi alleged that Gulzar Singh, whose son had reportedly fallen victim to drug addiction, had approached Finance Minister Cheema with a question about the government's failure to curb the drug trade. 'For just this, he was tortured and humiliated so much, pressured so intensely to apologise, that he consumed poison. Wandering from one hospital to another, without access to treatment, he ultimately lost the battle for his life,' Gandhi said.

He also referenced another individual, Mohanjeet Singh, whom he said he had spoken with the previous week, and who was allegedly tortured for protesting against Chief Minister Mann. 'The government's job is to answer to the people, not to crush those who ask questions,' Gandhi added, calling for swift justice for Gulzar Singh's family.

Gulzar Singh's Allegations Before His Death

In a video statement recorded before his death, Gulzar Singh allegedly accused the village sarpanch of bearing responsibility for his condition and claimed he had faced police pressure after questioning an AAP leader. 'The sarpanch is also responsible for my death. I had questioned Cheema about drugs. My son takes drugs. My house was sold. I don't have anything and finally now I have consumed poison. The problem of drugs has not been solved anywhere in Punjab,' Singh said in the video, according to reports.

Singh reportedly consumed pesticide after allegedly facing intense pressure and humiliation following his public criticism of the government's handling of the drug menace. Despite being in severe pain, he is said to have spoken to people around him before his death.

Growing Political Controversy

The incident has triggered a sharp political controversy in Punjab, with opposition leaders demanding accountability from the AAP government. Critics argue the state administration has failed to effectively address the drug crisis, which has long plagued several districts, particularly in the Malwa belt where Sangrur is located.

This comes amid a broader pattern of opposition pressure on the Mann government over law and order and the drug problem — issues that were central to AAP's electoral pitch in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. Notably, the allegations of intimidation against those who publicly question government officials add a fresh and serious dimension to the controversy.

Key Demands and What Happens Next

Gandhi's demands are threefold: the immediate resignation of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, registration of Cheema's name in the FIR, and an independent and impartial probe into Gulzar Singh's death. The Congress leader has also called on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to take direct responsibility for ensuring a fair investigation.

As of the time of reporting, neither the Punjab government nor Finance Minister Cheema had issued a formal public response to Gandhi's demands. The political pressure on the AAP government in Punjab is expected to intensify in the days ahead as the opposition continues to push for accountability.