The suicide of a farmer in Punjab's Sangrur district has ignited a political firestorm, with the victim's family alleging that trouble began after a visit by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister Harpal Cheema to their village. Gulzar Singh, the farmer, allegedly took his own life days after an incident during the Finance Minister's visit on Sunday, when he publicly raised the issue of drug menace in the area.
Five booked in farmer suicide case under SC/ST Act
Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against five individuals, including a village sarpanch, in connection with Gulzar Singh's death. The charges include abetment to suicide and provisions under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The FIR was filed after Gulzar's son alleged that the accused subjected his father to casteist abuse. The abuse reportedly followed an incident during Cheema's visit, when Gulzar had raised concerns about the drug problem in the village — a sensitive issue in Punjab, where substance abuse has long been a public concern.
Heavy police deployment as tensions rise
The post-mortem of Gulzar Singh was conducted under heavy police presence at a local hospital, with around 100 police personnel deployed in and around the facility. Villagers and locals gathered at the spot, reflecting the heightened emotions surrounding the case.
The situation has drawn attention to the broader context of the tragedy. Gulzar allegedly committed suicide days after anti-drug activist Mohanjit Singh alleged that he was tortured after displaying a black flag — an act of protest that appears to have escalated tensions in the community.
"The FIR was registered after Gulzar's son alleged that the accused subjected his father to casteist abuse following an incident during Finance Minister Harpal Cheema's visit to the village." — Original story report
Political row erupts over AAP minister's role
The case has quickly become a political flashpoint, with the headline itself pointing to the controversy: "Trouble began after AAP minister's visit." The opposition is likely to seize on the sequence of events — from the minister's visit to the farmer's public protest and subsequent suicide — to question the ruling party's handling of both the drug menace and caste-based discrimination in the state.
The involvement of a village sarpanch among the accused adds another layer of complexity, as it suggests that local power structures may have played a role in the events leading to Gulzar's death. The casteist abuse allegation, if proven, would point to systemic issues that go beyond a single political visit.
Our Take: A tragedy that demands answers, not just blame
To put it plainly, this is a heartbreaking case that raises serious questions on multiple fronts. A farmer who dared to speak up about the drug menace during a minister's visit ended up dead, with his family alleging caste-based harassment in the aftermath. That sequence alone demands a thorough investigation.
In our view, the political row is inevitable — but it should not distract from the core issues. First, there must be a full inquiry into the circumstances that led Gulzar Singh to take his own life. Second, the casteist abuse allegations must be taken seriously; if true, they reveal a disturbing reality that persists despite legal protections. Third, the drug menace that Gulzar reportedly wanted to highlight remains a pressing crisis in Punjab that needs sustained action, not just political rhetoric.
The deployment of 100 police personnel shows authorities are bracing for unrest, but the real test lies in whether they can deliver justice. The family deserves transparency, the accused deserve due process, and the public deserves to know exactly what happened between a minister's visit and a farmer's suicide. Anything less would be a failure on all counts.
