Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Punjab Congress Accuses Mann Government of Forcible Cremation
Punjab Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has accused the state government of mishandling a grieving family’s case.
He said Gulzar Singh died by suicide after allegedly being insulted by Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
Warring claimed Gulzar Singh’s body was cremated even though his family did not want that to happen.
He blamed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for the alleged cremation.
Warring said the incident was especially serious because Gulzar Singh was Dalit.
He warned that people in Punjab would remember the case.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also demanded justice for the family.
Gandhi called for an independent investigation and asked that Cheema resign and be named in the FIR.
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused the Mann government of forcibly cremating Gulzar Singh’s body.
Warring alleged Gulzar Singh died by suicide after being insulted by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
He accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of ordering the cremation against the family’s wishes.
Warring described the alleged treatment as insensitive and humiliating, particularly for a Dalit family.
Rahul Gandhi sought justice, an independent investigation, Cheema’s resignation and Cheema’s inclusion in the FIR.
- Who
- Gulzar Singh’s family, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Rahul Gandhi.
- What
- Congress leaders accused the Punjab government of forcibly cremating Gulzar Singh’s body and demanded an independent investigation into his death.
- When
- Warring made his condemnation on Thursday; Rahul Gandhi made his demand on Wednesday.
- Where
- Punjab, with the statement datelined Chandigarh.
- Why
- The accusations followed Gulzar Singh’s suicide and claims that he was allegedly insulted by Harpal Singh Cheema, as well as claims that his cremation took place against his family’s wishes.
- Central allegation
- Amarinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that Gulzar Singh’s body was forcibly cremated against his family’s wishes.
- Accused minister
- Warring alleged that Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema’s conduct contributed to Gulzar Singh’s suicide.
- Chief minister criticized
- Warring held Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responsible for the alleged cremation.
- Investigation demand
- Rahul Gandhi called for an independent and impartial investigation into the circumstances of Gulzar Singh’s death.
- Resignation demand
- Rahul Gandhi urged Bhagwant Mann to seek Harpal Singh Cheema’s resignation.
- FIR demand
- Rahul Gandhi called for Cheema’s name to be included in the first information report.
- Community concern
- Warring said the alleged treatment amounted to adding insult to a Dalit family’s injury.