Congress leader Selja seeks time-bound judicial probe into Gulzar Singh’s death and alleged cremation without family’s consent
CHANDIGARH | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Sirsa MP, former Union minister, Congress general secretary and Congress Working Committee member Kumari Selja has termed the death of Dalit worker Gulzar Singh in Punjab’s Sangrur district and the alleged cremation of his body without the consent of his family as an extremely serious and sensitive matter. She questioned whether a Dalit family in Punjab is now being denied even the basic right to perform the last rites of its deceased member according to its religious beliefs, traditions and wishes.
Raising questions over the alleged circumstances surrounding the incident, Selja asked whether the sentiments, consent and dignity of Dalit families have any value under the present Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab. She said the allegations made by the bereaved family, if established to be true, raise serious concerns regarding human dignity, social justice and the manner in which a grieving family is treated by the administration.
According to the allegations cited by Selja, the family was not even allowed to see Gulzar Singh’s face before the cremation and was allegedly not handed over his belongings. Selja said such allegations require an impartial examination because a family should ordinarily be taken into confidence and the applicable legal and administrative procedures should be followed in matters concerning the body and last rites of a deceased person.
She said that if the allegations are found to be correct, the incident cannot simply be dismissed as an administrative lapse. The circumstances surrounding the death, the allegations of harassment made by the family and the reported cremation without consent all require a transparent investigation, she said.
Selja demanded an impartial and time-bound judicial inquiry into the circumstances of Gulzar Singh’s death and the allegations raised by his family. She said the investigation should examine every aspect of the matter and establish the sequence of events leading to the cremation.
She also called for all relevant digital and documentary evidence to be preserved during the inquiry. This, she said, would be necessary to ensure that the investigation is based on verifiable evidence and that no material relevant to the case is lost, altered or overlooked.
The Congress leader further demanded strict legal action against any official or other individual found responsible after the investigation. She said accountability should follow the evidence and that those found to have violated the law or failed to follow prescribed procedures should face appropriate action.
Selja stressed that the issue should not be reduced to a political exchange between parties. According to her, the immediate responsibility of the Punjab government is to ensure justice, security and dignity for the bereaved family.
She said the death of a family member is among the most difficult moments a family can experience and that the process of giving the deceased a final farewell carries deep emotional, religious and cultural significance. Any administrative decision concerning the last rites must therefore be handled with sensitivity while fully respecting the law and the rights of the family.
The Congress leader questioned the alleged haste in carrying out the cremation and said the family’s concerns deserved to be heard rather than ignored. She maintained that the government should provide a clear explanation of the circumstances and respond to the allegations point by point.
Selja also demanded that, until the inquiry is completed, officials found to be directly responsible for the incident should be removed from sensitive positions. She said this would help ensure public confidence in the investigation and demonstrate that the administration is taking the allegations seriously.
She emphasised that the issue is not merely about the manner in which a cremation was conducted, but also about the dignity of the deceased and the rights and sentiments of the surviving family. If the allegations are substantiated, she said, the matter would represent a serious failure to respect basic human sensitivities and social justice.
Selja said the administration has a responsibility to maintain public trust, particularly when dealing with vulnerable and grieving families. She called for transparency at every stage of the inquiry and said the family should be kept informed about the proceedings.
The Congress leader also said that no family should feel that its voice can be ignored because of its social or economic position. She stressed that equality, dignity and respect before the law must apply to every citizen and that the government must demonstrate these principles through its actions.
The allegations surrounding Gulzar Singh’s death and the subsequent cremation have therefore become a matter requiring careful scrutiny. Selja said an independent inquiry would help establish the facts and determine whether established procedures were followed.
She reiterated that the family’s allegations should not be prejudged and that responsibility should be determined only after a fair investigation. At the same time, she said the seriousness of the allegations warrants an immediate response from the Punjab government rather than silence or delay.
Selja urged the government to ensure that all evidence connected with the case remains secure and accessible to investigators. She said the inquiry should be completed within a reasonable timeframe and its findings should be made known so that the family and the wider public can have confidence in the process.
She further said that if any official or individual is found guilty of wrongdoing, appropriate legal and departmental action must follow without political considerations. The objective, she said, should be to secure justice for the family and establish accountability.
The Congress leader maintained that the bereaved family should be given an opportunity to perform or participate in the final rites in accordance with its beliefs and traditions whenever legally and practically possible. She said the administration must treat families dealing with the death of a loved one with compassion and respect.
Selja’s statement has placed the focus on the allegations made by Gulzar Singh’s family and on the need for an impartial investigation into the events surrounding his death and cremation. The Congress leader said the Punjab government should address the concerns directly and ensure that the matter is investigated on the basis of evidence rather than political considerations.
She concluded that justice for the family, protection of its rights and preservation of the dignity of the deceased must remain the central priorities. Any attempt to suppress the family’s concerns or disregard its allegations, she said, would be unacceptable.
The allegations referred to in Selja’s statement are based on claims made publicly by the bereaved family. Their veracity, including the circumstances of Gulzar Singh’s death and the alleged cremation without family consent, remains subject to investigation and should not be treated as established facts unless confirmed by the competent authorities or an appropriate judicial process.
Right to Mourn and Bid Farewell According to Tradition Also Taken Away, Says Kumari Selja
Kumari Selja said bidding a final farewell to a loved one is one of the most emotional moments for any family. She said that if an investigation establishes that a cremation was hurriedly carried out without the family’s consent, it would amount to more than administrative insensitivity and could represent a direct assault on the dignity of both the deceased and the grieving family.
She said the Punjab government should respond point by point to all the allegations raised by Gulzar Singh’s family and ensure that the officials responsible for the matter are removed from sensitive positions until the inquiry is completed.
Selja stressed that any attempt to pressure a Dalit family or silence its concerns would be unacceptable. She said the family must receive justice, protection and dignity and that the government should demonstrate its commitment to social justice through a transparent and impartial investigation.
She reiterated that the facts referred to in her statement are based on allegations publicly made by the family. The claims regarding the circumstances of Gulzar Singh’s death, denial of access to his body and the alleged cremation without the family’s consent require independent verification through a proper investigation.
POD/DESK
