NCSC Seeks Report on Punjab Daily Wager's Death as Opposition Targets AAP

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has sought a detailed report from the Punjab government on the death of Gulzar Singh, a 47-year-old daily wager who allegedly consumed poison on the night of September 7 after being threatened.

NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana met the family of the deceased at his native village, Toor Banjara, on Thursday. He said Mr. Gulzar had raised his voice against the drug menace affecting the youth in the area, and that the threats he faced drove him to take the extreme step. Mr. Makwana added that the family has demanded stringent action against those responsible and security for themselves.

The commission had on Tuesday issued a notice to the state government, directing the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to submit a detailed report within five days.

Police have registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and booked five people under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Opposition demands Cheema's arrest

Opposition parties, including the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP, have cornered the ruling AAP government over the death, demanding the immediate dismissal of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. They allege that Mr. Gulzar was pressured by 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.

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa demanded Mr. Cheema's immediate arrest, saying the family has alleged that the last rites were performed without their consent and under heavy police deployment. The family has refused to hold the Bhog ceremony until justice is done, he said, asking why such a heavy police presence was required if the government had nothing to hide.

Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticised what he called the government's insensitive attitude, saying the family is recounting how the police cremated Mr. Gulzar without consent and that the Dalit family received "nothing but bones".

BJP state president Kewal Singh Dhillon said his party would ensure justice for the family and that the incident has raised serious questions about the functioning of the state government and people's safety.

Responding to the allegations, Punjab AAP media in-charge Baltej Pannu accused the Opposition of attempting to exploit caste and religious sentiments for political gain. He said the AAP's politics is about building schools and hospitals, and that the party has not used religion or caste and will not allow divisive politics in Punjab.