Punjab Man's Death Sparks Political Row

A 47-year-old Dalit man, Gulzar Singh, died on September 8 after allegedly consuming poison, sparking a political controversy in Punjab. Singh's family stated that he had publicly questioned Finance Minister Harpal Cheema about the drug supply in his area during an event on September 6. Following a complaint from Singh's family, police have booked five individuals under charges of abetment of suicide and relevant legislation protecting Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In response to the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of engaging in "politics over dead bodies." Gandhi had alleged that Singh faced threats, torture, and intense pressure to apologize after questioning the government's handling of the drug menace, ultimately leading him to consume poison. Gandhi demanded the finance minister's resignation and an impartial investigation. Countering Gandhi's claims, Mann stated that police had already arrested the accused and shared a video clip showing Congress leaders being allegedly chased away from the victim's village by locals.