Punjab is home to the largest proportion of Dalits in its population among all states, and some recent developments have put the politics concerning them on the boil, giving the Opposition ammunition to fire at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). A party that displays Dalit icon and eminent jurist Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s portraits in its offices is now in the dock for a Dalit man’s death. And it’s linked to the drug crisis and rural distress, which have emerged as major issues on their own, six months ahead of the state polls.
Today four and a half years have passed, and more drugs are being sold than before. Before his death, he recorded a video statement (dying declaration) naming minister Cheema and local panchayat members regarding the intimidation he faced. The minister has denied any role, and a case has been registered against some local leaders. The death triggered massive statewide political outrage and demands for accountability. But the Opposition wants Cheema’s resignation and action against him. Congress’s Punjab affairs in-charge Sachin Pilot also put Cheema in the dock. Does the law not even require that there should be an investigation?” he asked, reminding AAP of its poll promise to appoint a Dalit MLA as Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister. Cheema has accused Opposition parties of trying to frame him. “The Opposition has turned a family’s tragedy into vulture politics. The BJP, SAD and Congress have joined hands to frame a minister and play politics over a dead body. “I have enough evidence to answer every allegation. I will place it on record when the police and the SIT finish their work. I will not try this case on a microphone. Gulzar Singh’s own words are in the public domain. What the Opposition is running is a calculated campaign to exploit a death for votes,” he added.
He not only told the minister publicly that his village was stressed due to the availability of drugs but also said three young men had died due to addiction. Because of that person, “A man is taking his life and making a video saying he is taking his life with his own hands. Because someone makes a statement, the High Court has already said a minister cannot be dragged in merely.
Distressed, Gulzar Singh consumed a poisonous substance on September 8 and died. The AAP government did swing into action and announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh besides promising employment to a member of his family.
He’d said his son was a drug addict. “The point at which the state of Punjab stands today is a matter of concern for the entire country,” he said, “The Chief Minister of this government had said we will end the drug problem in three months. “We have no caste enmity with Harpal Singh Cheema, but he is the Finance Minister,” he further said. Punjab Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa of the Congress said AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is trying to “hide Harpal Cheema’s sins”, as the party had earlier dropped another cabinet minister, Laljit Singh Bhullar, who was also accused of abetment to suicide. That is a conspiracy, not a search for truth,” he said.
