Former Barnala Sarpanch Sukhwinder Singh Calcutta was brutally shot dead in broad daylight in Sehna town, Punjab, sending shockwaves across the political landscape of the state. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among Congress leaders, who have squarely blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for what they describe as a complete collapse of law and order in Punjab. Police officials have begun an investigation into the murder, and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend those responsible for the crime.
Sukhwinder Singh Calcutta, a well-known political figure in the Barnala district, had long been associated with the Congress party before recently shifting his allegiance to Simranjit Singh Mann’s Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar). In recent months, he had drawn attention for his outspoken criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party and its Bhadaur MLA, Labh Singh Ugoke. His strong political stance and vocal opposition to the ruling party have fueled suspicions that his killing may have been politically motivated, though the police have yet to confirm any such link.
The assassination has provoked strong reactions from senior Congress leaders, who have condemned the killing and accused the AAP-led government of allowing Punjab to descend into lawlessness. Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira was among the first to voice outrage, posting on X that the “broad daylight murder of Sukhwinder Calcutta, Sarpanch Sehna (Barnala), shows total breakdown of law and order in Punjab.” Khaira went on to allege political vendetta, claiming that since the victim had been a vocal critic of AAP and MLA Labh Singh Ugoke, the possibility of targeted revenge could not be ignored. He further accused AAP’s Punjab leadership of adopting coercive tactics, referencing Manish Sisodia’s alleged advocacy of the “Saam-Daam-Dand-Bhed” policy to gain control over Punjab’s political sphere.
Echoing similar sentiments, Congress leader Pargat Singh also condemned the incident, describing it as a grim reflection of Punjab’s deteriorating governance and security situation. “The brutal daylight murder of Sukhwinder Calcutta, Sarpanch of Sehna (Barnala), reflects a complete collapse of law and order in Punjab. Such incidents erode public faith and raise serious concerns about governance and safety,” Singh stated in his social media post. He emphasized that political disagreements must never escalate to acts of violence and demanded an impartial and independent inquiry to ensure that justice is served.
The shocking murder has reignited debates about public safety, political intolerance, and the state’s ability to maintain order. As the police investigation continues, questions linger about whether this killing was an act of personal enmity or a politically motivated attack. Regardless of the motive, the tragedy has heightened tensions in Punjab’s already volatile political environment, with calls intensifying for accountability, transparency, and immediate restoration of law and order in the state.
