Chugh alleges forced cremation of Dalit man in Punjab, attacks AAP government
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh on Thursday alleged that Punjab Police forcibly conducted the last rites of a Dalit man from Sangrur who died by suicide, claiming the cremation was carried out against his family's wishes.
Chugh also accused the AAP government in Punjab of "injustice" against Dalits and questioned why state Finance Minister Harpal Cheema had not been sacked over the incident.
Gulzar Singh, 47, a Dalit man from Dirba in Sangrur district, died on Monday night after allegedly consuming poison.
According to his family, Singh had questioned Cheema about the supply of drugs in the area during an event in Dirba on September 6.
In a post on X, Chugh alleged that the police conducted Singh's funeral forcibly, despite the family's objections.
"The incompetent officials of Bhagwant Mann claimed that the last rites of Dalit labourer Gulzar Singh were performed with the family's consent, but the victim's family alleges that the police forcibly conducted the funeral against their wishes," he said, sharing a video of Singh's family.
Chugh further alleged that Singh's family had not received adequate government assistance or compensation.
"The whole of Punjab is asking why minister Harpal Cheema hasn't been sacked yet, and why no case has been registered against Cheema for abetment of suicide," he said.
A purported video showing Singh's final moments has also emerged, in which he is seen questioning Cheema about the availability of drugs in his area. Singh also said the local sarpanch would be responsible for his death and acknowledged that his son consumed drugs.
The video triggered opposition attacks on the Bhagwant Mann-led government, with political parties demanding a probe into the circumstances surrounding Singh's death and seeking Cheema's resignation.
Based on a complaint filed by Singh's family, police have booked five people under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to abetment of suicide, along with relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
