Chandigarh, Sep 12 (PTI) AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab, Sachin Pilot, will lead a protest organised by the state unit on September 15 in Chandigarh against the AAP government over the suicide of a Sangrur villager who allegedly questioned state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the supply of drugs.
Pilot, along with Punjab Congress leaders, will march to Cheema’s residence to demand an independent investigation and his dismissal from the ministry.
The villager, Gulzar Singh from Dirba in Sangrur, died on Monday after allegedly consuming poison. His family claims he was subjected to harassment and casteist slurs after asking Cheema about the drug situation during an event the day before his death.
“The Punjab Congress leaders and I will be taking out a march to the residence of AAP Minister, Harpal Cheema, on 15 September in Chandigarh, demanding justice for the family of Late Shri Gulzar Singh ji, who committed suicide by consuming poison after facing pressure and mental harassment because he dared to question the Minister about the uncontrollable drug menace in Punjab,” Pilot said.
“His last video recording before his death clearly names the minister. The victim’s family also alleged that they were denied dignity and respect while conducting his final rites,” the Congress leader said in a post on X.
He asserted that this is a serious matter which warrants an independent investigation.
“The Congress party demands nothing less than the TERMINATION of the minister and an immediate, time-bound, independent inquiry into all aspects of the matter,” he further said.
This will mark Pilot’s first visit to Punjab since he was appointed general secretary in charge amidst ongoing factionalism within the party’s state unit.
A political row erupted after Gulzar’s suicide, with his family claiming that he was asked to apologise and subjected to casteist slurs for questioning Cheema over the “unabated” supply of ‘chitta’ in his area at an event on September 6.
A purported video of Gulzar’s last moments surfaced in which he spoke about questioning the finance minister, prompting opposition parties to demand the resignations of Cheema and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The family of Gulzar Singh alleged that the cremation was done “forcibly” by the administration “without their consent”, with opposition parties launching an attack against the AAP government.
Punjab Congress Chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring asserted that the party seeks justice for Gulzar Singh’s family.
“On September 15, Shri @SachinPilot ji will lead @INCPunjab’s march to the residence of AAP Minister @HarpalCheemaMLA in Chandigarh. We demand justice for Late Shri Gulzar Singh ji’s family and accountability from Harpal Cheema and the @AAPPunjab government. We demand nothing less than the Minister’s dismissal and an immediate, independent, time-bound inquiry,” Warring said in a post on X.
He appealed to all Congress workers to join the march and stand with Gulzar’s family. PTI CHS MPL MPL
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