A 47-year-old man, Gulzar Singh, from Sangrur, died by suicide after allegedly being subjected to pressure to apologise for publicly questioning Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the drug menace, according to his family. The incident has sparked calls for Cheema's resignation and an independent investigation, with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of 'crushing those who question' its policies.

Gulzar Singh, from the Dalit community, reportedly asked Cheema why the government had failed to curb the supply of 'chitta' in his area during an event on September 6. His family claims he was tortured, humiliated, and subjected to casteist slurs for his inquiry, leading to his decision to consume poison. He died on Monday night after being treated in multiple hospitals, his family said. A video of his final moments, in which he spoke about questioning the finance minister, has circulated online, prompting opposition parties to demand Cheema's resignation as well as that of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Punjab Police have set up a special investigation team (SIT), led by an officer of additional director general of police rank, to probe the incident. Following a complaint by Gulzar's family, five villagers—Baljit Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Vicky Singh, Gona Singh, and Baljinder Kaur—have been booked under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, according to the FIR.

Rahul Gandhi, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, accused the AAP government of creating a 'dangerous pattern' of silencing dissent. In a social media post on X, he called for Mann to demand Cheema's resignation and ensure an independent and impartial investigation. 'The government's job is to answer to the people, not to crush those who ask questions,' he said. Gandhi also mentioned a young man, Mohanjeet Singh, who was tortured for protesting against Mann, further highlighting his concerns about the state's handling of dissent.

The family's claims remain unverified, and the exact nature of the pressure Gulzar Singh faced is unclear. While the SIT has been established, the investigation is ongoing, and no conclusions have been drawn. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of dissenters in Punjab and the role of the AAP government in addressing drug trafficking and caste-based discrimination.

The case has also sparked a debate on how the government should address the issue of drug trafficking. Over 5,000 users have shared opinions on social media, with many calling for accountability and transparency. However, the lack of concrete evidence and the absence of a formal response from the government mean that the situation remains unresolved. The family's allegations, while serious, have not been independently verified, and the full context of Gulzar Singh's death remains unclear.