New Delhi [India], September 8 : BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Tuesday targeted the Punjab government over the death of Gulzar Singh, a Dalit man from Sangrur district, alleging that the state government had failed to take action against the drug menace despite repeated concerns being raised.
Addressing the media in Delhi, Bhatia said Gulzar Singh had raised the issue of drugs during Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema’s visit to his village and sought action after alleging that his son was consuming ‘Chitta’ (a term used for synthetic drug).
“Gulzar Singh, a resident of Sangrur district, pleaded with the AAP minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, when the minister visited his village. He cried out, ‘My son is consuming Chitta; action must be taken.’ This was the plea Gulzar Singh made to Minister Harpal Singh Cheema,” Bhatia said.
Bhatia alleged that after the minister left the village, a local sarpanch affiliated with the ruling party visited Gulzar Singh’s residence and, instead of helping him, threatened and intimidated him.
He alleged that Gulzar Singh was accused of using abusive language and was asked to apologise to the minister. Bhatia said the alleged harassment and pressure left Gulzar Singh in despair, following which he consumed poison.
According to Bhatia, Gulzar Singh recorded a video after consuming poison, in which he held four individuals responsible for the situation in Punjab and raised concerns over the alleged easy availability of narcotics, drugs and ‘Chitta’ among the youth.
“Gulzar Singh passed away,” Bhatia said.
Bhatia said the issue of drug abuse was the responsibility of the state government and alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Minister Harpal Singh Cheema had failed to address the problem.
“It is CM Bhagwant Mann’s responsibility to stop drugs,” he said.
The BJP leader also targeted Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal over the issue of drugs in Punjab and liquor in Delhi respectively, alleging that the AAP governments had failed to protect young people from substance abuse.
Bhatia further accused the Punjab government of encouraging the spread of drugs and questioned the functioning of Bhagwant Mann, Harpal Singh Cheema and Arvind Kejriwal.
“When the saviour becomes the destroyer, he must resign,” Bhatia said, demanding that Bhagwant Mann step down as Punjab Chief Minister.