• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. Sachin Pilot, Partap Bajwa detained during Punjab Congress protest.
  2. Protest demands Cheema's removal, probe into Dalit man's suicide.
  3. Gulzar Singh's family alleges harassment over drug menace questions.

Congress Punjab Protest: Congress leaders - Sachin Pilot, Partap Singh Bajwa and others - were detained during a protest over the alleged suicide of a Dalit man on Tuesday. They were demanding the removal of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and an independent probe into the incident.

Punjab Police personnel used a water cannon when Congress leaders tried to march towards the official residence of Cheema.

ALSO READ: Punjab Polls: Can Sachin Pilot Bridge Factional Rifts? Raja Warring, Channi To Protest Together Against AAP Govt

What Is Dalit Man Suicide Case?

Gulzar Singh, who hailed from Dirba in Sangrur district, died on September 7 after allegedly consuming poison. Gulzar's family has alleged that he was harassed and subjected to casteist slurs for questioning Cheema about the supply of drugs in his area at an event in Dirba the day before. A purported video of Gulzar's last moments surfaced in which he spoke about questioning Cheema, prompting opposition parties to demand the resignations of the finance minister and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Govt Cannot Suppress People Of Punjab: Sachin Pilot

"If any government or a CM has a misconception that with the use of water cannon or police's baton, they can suppress the people of Punjab and Congress workers, then I would like to humbly say that they should get rid of that misconception," Pilot said before being detained.

ALSO READ: Why Punjab AAP Government Is Facing Backlash Over A Dalit Labourer’s Suicide In Sangrur

"The matter is clear: Gulzar Singh committed suicide. We felt sad about why he committed suicide; the reason would have come after investigation. He mentioned the name in a dying declaration; there can't be bigger evidence in courts. It would have been better if there had been an investigation, but the government forced the final rites, as said by relatives. There is no name of the finance minister in the FIR; there can't be two laws. I feel sad that the CM mentioned it as a small story," he added.

Addressing protesters outside the Punjab Congress headquarters in Chandigarh ahead of the march, Pilot lashed out at the AAP government over Singh's alleged suicide. He said Gulzar had raised the issue of the drug menace, but he was subjected to so much pressure that he had to take his own life.

"We have no personal enmity with Cheema Sahib. But you are sitting in office; you are the finance minister. A man is taking his life and making a video saying that 'I am taking my own life because of this person'. Does the law not say that there should be an investigation, there should be an FIR?" asked Pilot.

He claimed the AAP has not fulfilled any of its poll promises and has worked to push Punjab into the "black darkness of drugs".

Heavy police deployment was made and barricades were erected to prevent Congress leaders and workers from heading towards the official residence of Cheema.
(With PTI inputs)


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