Sachin Pilot, Raja Warring detained as Punjab Congress protest over Gulzar Singh’s suicide turns chaotic; Water cannons used, several injured
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 15, 2026: A Punjab Congress protest demanding the removal of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the death of Sangrur resident Gulzar Singh turned confrontational in Chandigarh on Tuesday, with police detaining senior party leaders including Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot, state president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa.
Pilot, who was leading the march towards Cheema’s official residence, was detained along with other Congress leaders after protesters attempted to cross police barricades. Police used water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, while some Congress workers and police personnel were injured during the confrontation.The protest was organised over the alleged suicide of Gulzar Singh, a Dalit agricultural labourer from Sangrur’s Dirba area, who died after consuming poison following an incident involving Cheema. Congress has accused the Punjab government of failing to ensure accountability and is demanding the Finance Minister’s dismissal, his arrest and a time-bound, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Singh’s death.
The controversy began on September 6, when Gulzar Singh publicly questioned Cheema during a village programme about the availability of drugs, particularly “chitta”. Singh also spoke about his son’s addiction and raised concerns over the drug situation in the area. He allegedly consumed poison the following day and subsequently died while undergoing treatment.
The case escalated after Singh’s family alleged that he was pressured and humiliated after raising the drug issue. Reports have also cited allegations of caste-based slurs and pressure on Singh to apologise. A purported video from before his death, in which Singh spoke about the incident, has added to the political controversy.
Congress has alleged that Cheema was named in Singh’s dying declaration and has questioned why the minister has not been named in the case. The party has therefore sought his removal from the Punjab Cabinet and an independent probe into the death. These are political and family allegations, and Cheema has denied wrongdoing.
Pilot leads first major Punjab protest
The Chandigarh demonstration was also significant for Sachin Pilot, who was recently appointed Punjab Congress in-charge. He had announced the September 15 march to Cheema’s residence, saying the protest would seek justice for Singh’s family and an impartial investigation.
The protest also brought together leaders from different factions of the Punjab Congress, including Raja Warring, Partap Singh Bajwa and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. The participation of rival groups was seen as an attempt to project unity within the state Congress ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
On Tuesday, as the march progressed towards Cheema’s residence, several protesters climbed over the barricades. Police responded with water cannons, leading to a confrontation and injuries. Pilot, Warring and Bajwa were subsequently detained by Chandigarh Police.
The Gulzar Singh case has now become a major political flashpoint in Punjab, with the Opposition linking it to the wider issue of drug availability in the state and questioning the AAP government’s handling of allegations involving Dalit citizens and accountability in cases of suicide. The ruling side, meanwhile, has rejected the Opposition’s allegations.