Kejriwal hits back at Rahul Gandhi over Gulzar Singh’s death, defends Punjab drug crackdown
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, September 9, 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his allegations concerning the death of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur, accusing the Congress of indulging in “dirty politics” over the issue.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had earlier criticised the AAP government in Punjab over the death of 46-year-old Gulzar Singh, who allegedly died after consuming poison following a confrontation over the drug menace in his village. Gandhi demanded the resignation of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and sought an independent investigation into the matter.
Responding to Gandhi’s allegations in a post on X, Kejriwal defended the Punjab government’s campaign against drugs and accused previous Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP governments of allowing the drug problem to spread in the state.
“Rahul ji, the Punjab government is fighting a decisive war against drugs. Who brought drugs to Punjab? Your Congress government brought them. The Akali Dal and BJP government brought them,” Kejriwal said.
He claimed that Punjab was witnessing an unprecedented government-led campaign against drugs and said the AAP government was now attempting to dismantle the drug network allegedly built up under successive previous governments.
“For the first time, a state in the entire country is launching a war against drugs in this manner. Today, the Punjab government is trying to clean up the drug menace spread by Congress, Akali Dal and BJP,” Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal Accuses Congress of Politicising Gulzar’s Death
Taking direct aim at Gandhi over his comments on Gulzar Singh’s death, Kejriwal accused the Congress leader of politicising the death.
“I am deeply saddened that a leader like you is indulging in dirty politics over dead bodies,” he said.
Kejriwal also referred to the visit of Congress MLAs to the village where Gulzar Singh lived, claiming that the villagers opposed their attempt to politicise the incident.
“Yesterday, when your MLAs went to that village to politicise this person’s death, the villagers threw them out. Watch this video,” Kejriwal said.
He alleged that the claims made by Gandhi were false and challenged him to visit the village personally to ascertain the facts.
“I request you to come and visit this village yourself,” Kejriwal said.
AAP Denies Government Role in Death
Kejriwal categorically denied any connection between the Punjab government or its ministers and MLAs and Gulzar Singh’s death.
“Our government—none of its ministers or MLAs—has any connection to this person’s death,” he said, while urging Gandhi not to engage in what he described as “dirty politics”.
Gulzar Singh, a resident of Toor Banjara village in Sangrur district, had allegedly questioned Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the availability of synthetic drugs, commonly referred to as “chitta”, during the minister’s visit to the area. His family has alleged that Gulzar subsequently faced pressure and harassment over the interaction.
Gulzar later recorded a video naming people he allegedly held responsible for the harassment before consuming poison. He died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ludhiana.
Police subsequently registered an FIR against five people under provisions relating to abetment to suicide and relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The allegations surrounding Gulzar Singh’s death have triggered a political controversy in Punjab, with Congress and BJP leaders targeting the AAP government over the incident.
Rahul Gandhi has demanded an independent and impartial investigation and called for Cheema’s resignation, while the AAP has rejected the allegations and defended its anti-drug campaign.
The exchange between Kejriwal and Gandhi comes amid an intensifying political battle in Punjab over the state’s drug crisis, with the ruling AAP and opposition parties blaming each other for the situation and its consequences.