Chandigarh, October 14
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took to the streets across Punjab to protest the murder of young social activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta, who had raised his voice against drugs in Mansa and was shot dead during a Facebook Live session. Anil Sareen, General Secretary of Punjab BJP, said that the party held sit-ins and protests at 36 district headquarters across the state, raising strong slogans against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. During the protests, memorandums were submitted to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria through Deputy Commissioners. Through these memorandums, the BJP demanded an impartial investigation into the murder by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
He stated that the BJP’s memorandum highlighted that Parvinder Singh had been raising his voice against drug trafficking and the illegal sale of narcotic substances in Mansa for a long time. He had consistently campaigned to protect young people from the grip of drug addiction. On October 13, he was shot dead in broad daylight. His murder has raised serious questions about the safety of those fighting against drugs.
BJP leaders said that the victim’s father had named the local MLA in his statement, making the matter particularly serious. Furthermore, according to eyewitnesses, the assailant spoke to someone over the phone immediately before opening fire. This raises the possibility that the murder could be part of a larger conspiracy.
The party also questioned the functioning of the Punjab Police and demanded a thorough investigation into every aspect of the case, along with the strictest possible punishment for those responsible.
The BJP described the murder as the most glaring example of the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab and the nexus surrounding drug trafficking. The party alleged that those speaking out against drugs are being openly targeted while the government remains a silent spectator.
The party stated that the murder of a person who raised his voice against drugs was an attack on democracy. It urged the Governor to intervene immediately and ensure the establishment of the rule of law in the state.