BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia has launched a sharp attack over the alleged drug menace in Punjab, citing the death of Gulzar Singh, a Dalit resident of Sangrur, who he claimed had repeatedly raised concerns about drugs before his death.
Addressing the issue in Delhi, Bhatia alleged that Singh had been highlighting the spread of narcotics in Punjab despite allegedly receiving no meaningful response from the state government.
Bhatia said, “We have previously raised issues concerning Punjab, and yesterday, we received tragic news. A brother of ours from Punjab—Gulzar Singh, who belonged to the Dalit community—had been raising the issue of the drug trade and the menace plaguing the state right under the nose of CM Bhagwant Mann, yet no action was being taken.”
According to Bhatia, Singh was from Sangrur district and had approached AAP minister Harpal Singh Cheema when the minister visited his village.
Bhatia said, “Gulzar Singh, a resident of Sangrur district, pleaded with the AAP minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, when the minister visited his village. He cried out, ‘My son is consuming ‘Chitta’ (synthetic drugs); action must be taken…’ This was the plea Gulzar Singh made to Minister Harpal Singh Cheema…”
The BJP leader then alleged that the situation became more serious after the minister left the village.
Bhatia claimed, “The situation took a tragic and grave turn when a local Sarpanch—affiliated with the ruling party—visited Gulzar Singh’s home after the minister’s departure. Instead of helping, he threatened and intimidated Gulzar Singh, accusing him of using abusive language and demanding an apology from the minister.”
He further alleged that Singh faced severe harassment and subsequently consumed poison.
“He was subjected to such severe harassment and torment that, in despair, Gulzar Singh consumed poison,” Bhatia said.
Video Allegedly Recorded Before Death
Bhatia also claimed that Singh recorded a video after consuming poison and held four people responsible for what he described as the deteriorating drug situation in Punjab.
“When he consumes poison, Gulzar Singh records a video. In it, he holds four individuals responsible for the situation in Punjab, where narcotics, drugs, and ‘Chitta’ are easily available to the youth, while the government remains a mere spectator and fails to take action,” Bhatia said.
According to Bhatia, Singh was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment but died on Monday.
“He is taken to the hospital for treatment, but yesterday Gulzar Singh passed away…” Bhatia said.
The BJP leader’s allegations have put the spotlight once again on Punjab’s drug problem and raised questions over the government’s handling of complaints from families affected by narcotics.
The allegations made by Gaurav Bhatia, including those concerning the Sarpanch and the circumstances surrounding Gulzar Singh’s death, have not been independently verified.
