Opposition corners AAP government in Punjab as NCSC chief meets kin of daily wager who ‘poisoned himself’

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has sought a detailed report on the death of Gulzar Singh, a Punjab daily wager who allegedly died by 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, demanded immediate dismissal of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the death of the 47-year-old on the night of September 7 after allegedly consuming poison. The opposition has been alleging that he was under pressure from local AAP leaders to apologise for questioning Mr. Cheema over the drug menace in his village during an event at Dirba in Sangrur district on September 6.

Mr. Makwana, who visited Gulzar Singh’s home village of Toor Banjara, said Mr. Gulzar had spoken out against the drug menace, which was ruining the lives of youth in the area.

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

The NCSC on Tuesday issued a notice to the Punjab Government, asking 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 have booked five people under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Call to arrest Cheema

Leader of Opposition in the Punjab State Assembly, the Congress’s Partap Singh Bajwa, demanded the immediate arrest of Mr. Cheema. He said, “The family has alleged that Gulzar Singh’s last rites were conducted without their consent and under heavy police deployment. The family has refused to conduct his Bhog until justice is done.”

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

Hitting out at the State Government, senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said, “Gulzar Singh’s family is once again demanding justice. They are recounting how the police cremated Mr. Gulzar without consent. This Dalit family received ‘nothing but bones’.” He criticised the Government’s insensitive attitude and accusing them of toying with the emotions of a poor Dalit family.

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

Punjab AAP media in-charge Baltej Pannu said the Opposition parties were attempting to exploit caste and religious sentiments for political gain. “The AAP’s politics are the building of schools and hospitals. We have used neither religion, nor caste, and will not do so in the future. AAP will not allow any political party to introduce divisive and dirty politics into Punjab,” he said.