A political storm has broken out in Punjab after Gulzar Singh, a resident of Sangrur district, died by suicide days after he publicly confronted state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the unchecked spread of synthetic drugs in his village. The incident has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties and reignited debate over the state government’s handling of the narcotics crisis.
What Happened in Sangrur
Gulzar Singh consumed poison after allegedly facing sustained pressure from local authorities to withdraw the allegations he had raised against Minister Cheema. Before he died, he was rushed for treatment but succumbed to the effects of the poison. In statements recorded before his death, Singh reportedly named several individuals, including the minister and the village sarpanch, whom he held responsible for his situation.
One simple, direct question to the @AAPPunjab government on drugs landed 50-year old Gulzar Singh straight in the hospital!
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) September 7, 2026
‘My son consumes Chitta daily! Why hasn’t the Aam Aadmi Party done anything to stop it. Why have you all failed so miserably in stopping drug trade?’… pic.twitter.com/t1oqMFf2JA
The Public Confrontation With Minister Cheema
The controversy traces back to an earlier public interaction, when Gulzar Singh approached Harpal Singh Cheema during the minister’s visit to his village. Singh raised concerns about the open availability of “chitta,” a synthetic form of heroin that has plagued several districts of Punjab, and alleged that his own son had fallen victim to drug addiction as a result. He appealed to the minister to take concrete action against the peddlers operating in the area.
Family and Local Allegations
Singh’s family has alleged that instead of acting on his complaint, local officials turned against him. His son claimed that the village sarpanch reacted angrily to the allegations of open drug sales and reprimanded his father. The family maintains that this hostility, combined with the personal toll of his son’s addiction and mounting financial distress, pushed Singh toward taking the extreme step. Before his death, Singh reportedly stated that both the police and the sarpanch bore responsibility for his condition.
Political Fallout and Opposition Reactions
The death has quickly become a flashpoint in Punjab’s political landscape. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia described the death as tantamount to murder, alleging that police had sidelined Singh and that ruling party functionaries pressured him to retract his statements. He has demanded that a First Information Report be registered against Minister Cheema. Separately, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia raised the issue at a press briefing in Delhi, highlighting that Singh belonged to a Dalit community and accusing the state government of failing to act despite repeated warnings about drug abuse in the region. Opposition leaders have jointly called for the resignation of the Chief Minister, the removal of the minister concerned, and legal action under provisions covering abetment of suicide and protections for marginalised communities.
Punjab’s Continuing Drug Crisis
Gulzar Singh’s death has once again drawn attention to Punjab’s long-running struggle with synthetic drug abuse. Despite repeated government claims of crackdowns on narcotics networks, cases of overdose deaths and drug-related family distress continue to surface across the state, fuelling public frustration with enforcement efforts and prompting renewed calls for accountability from those in power.
