Congress Leaders Condemn Punjab Govt Over Forced Cremation of Dalit Laborer

On Wednesday, Congress leader Pawan Khera took to X to denounce the Punjab government led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He described the death and hasty cremation of 42‑year‑old Dalit laborer Gulzar Singh as a “deeply disturbing” breach of basic human rights.

Singh, a member of the Valmiki community from Sangrur district, allegedly took his own life after being pressured for questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the rampant drug problem that has also ensnared his son. According to Singh’s family, local party workers and officials hounded him, and after his death the police, under heavy security, burned his body without the family’s consent.

Khera drew a painful parallel with the 2020 Hathras case in Uttar Pradesh, where a Dalit teenager’s body was similarly cremated at night without her family present. “It is a chilling reminder of that tragedy,” he wrote, emphasizing that the pattern of denying families their final rites is an abuse of state power.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, also voiced outrage. In his own post, he alleged that Singh was humiliated and pushed to the brink after publicly confronting the minister about the easy availability of synthetic drugs, locally known as “chitta.” Gandhi demanded the immediate resignation of Finance Minister Cheema and called for an independent, time‑bound inquiry, labeling any half‑measures as “eyewash.”

Family members of Gulzar Singh have alleged that the police and administrative officials forced the cremation, effectively stripping them of the right to perform traditional last rites or even see their loved one one last time. “Denying a grieving family even the basic dignity of deciding how and when their loved one’s last rites are performed is inhuman,” Khera wrote.

The incident has reignited long‑standing concerns about the treatment of Dalits in northern India, especially when they confront powerful political figures. While the AAP government has not yet responded in detail, opposition voices are urging the central authorities to step in and ensure that the rule of law, not political expediency, dictates the handling of such sensitive matters.

As the story develops, activists and human‑rights groups are calling for broader protections for marginalized communities, stressing that no one should be denied the right to a dignified farewell, regardless of caste or political affiliation.