Gulzar Singh death: Opposition tears into Punjab Government over victim's alleged harassment for protesting against drug menace
PTC News Desk: The opposition has launched a scathing attack on the AAP-led Punjab Government following the death of elderly man Gulzar Singh after consuming poisonous substance.
Gulzar Singh, allegedly swallowed a poisonous substance following an incident during a programme attended by Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema in Dirba. He was initially taken to a private hospital in Sangrur and later referred to DMCH, Ludhiana, where he succumbed late at night.
Also Read: Elderly man Gulzar Singh dies at Ludhiana's DMC after consuming poisonous substance, blames Harpal Cheema, village sarpanch for death
According to information, during the minister’s programme yesterday, Gulzar Singh questioned Harpal Singh Cheema, saying, “My son openly consumes chitta. Why don’t you stop the drug?”
In a video reportedly recorded before his death in doing rounds on social media in which Gulzar Singh allegedly held Minister Harpal Cheema responsible and the village sarpanch for the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Opposition's fiery attack
Shiromani Akali Dal senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia sought FIR registration in connection with the case and Harpal Cheema's immediate dismissal from the cabinet.
"This is not suicide; it is a killing by the Guru Dokhi government. In keeping with Gulzar’s last wish, an FIR should be registered against the liquor minister, and he should be immediately dismissed from the Cabinet and sent to jail," Majithia said in a post.
???? The price of asking a question: death!
???? Gulzar Singh of Dirba merely asked Harpal Cheema a question about the drug menace, and the Guru Dokhis allegedly pushed him to the point of taking his own life!
???? His body is lying in the DMC mortuary. In his final statement, he… pic.twitter.com/RpVsU2FFgF — Bikram Singh Majithia (@bsmajithia) September 7, 2026
Meanwhile Congress MP from Jalandhar Charanjit Singh Channi accused the Punjab government of supressing voices and evading from accountability.
Silencing public voices won't save this government from accountability
After Sunam, a Punjabi brother in Sangrur who dared to question Finance Minister Harpal Cheema about the drug crisis was harassed to the point of a suicide attempt by consuming poison. pic.twitter.com/1mFvoJ38am — Charanjit Singh Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) September 7, 2026
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa said 'asking a question about state's drug menace can even cost you your life.'
'50-year-old Gulzar Singh questioned Harpal Cheema at an official programme in Dibra: why has the government failed to stop the drug trade? What followed is deeply disturbing. He was allegedly assaulted and tortured by AAP workers, Panchayat members and aides of the Minister. He later consumed Celphos and is now fighting for his life at Rajindra Hospital, Patiala,' Bajwa said in a social media post.
Gulzar Singh is no more.
A 50-year-old Punjabi man who dared to question the @AAPPunjab government about the drug menace has lost his life.@BhagwantMann, is this the price Punjabis must pay for questioning your government?
This is not just a death. It is a chilling warning… https://t.co/pYoGDbi3tO — Partap Singh Bajwa (@Partap_Sbajwa) September 7, 2026
The case
Gulzar Singh, a farmer, died at Ludhiana's DMCH after reportedly consuming a poisonous substance and alleged that he was being pressurised into apologising for protesting against the AAP government in Dirba in the presence of Minister Harpal Cheema.
According to the reports, he was taken in police custody as he questioned the minister over government's failure in mitigating the menace.
It is further alleged that the sarpanch of Tur Banjara village and some other people later pressured Gulzar Singh to stand up the following morning and apologise for questioning the minister.
- PTC NEWS
