The Sikh activist, Jhota, was known for confronting drug sellers and had emerged as a grassroots voice against Punjab’s drug crisis.
Mansa, Punjab (KP) — Parvinder Singh Jhota, a grassroots anti-drug activist known for challenging the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating substances in Punjab’s Mansa region, was shot dead at a chemist shop on Tuesday, October 13. Four of his companions were also reported injured in the shooting, which occurred during a confrontation with the shop owner and was partially captured on a Facebook livestream.
Jhota’s killing has renewed concerns about the scale of Punjab’s drug problem, the risks faced by people who challenge suspected drug networks, and the responsibilities of government agencies tasked with controlling the illegal sale of intoxicating substances.
Beyond his anti-drug activism, Jhota was also known among supporters as a pro-Panthic activist who maintained his Sikh saroop. His public identity reflected a commitment to Sikh appearance and an outspoken approach to issues affecting Punjab and the Sikh community.
From Kabaddi to the Anti-Drug Movement
Originally from Mansa, Parvinder Singh, popularly known as Jhota, had been associated with freestyle kabaddi before becoming increasingly involved in grassroots efforts against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of addictive substances.
He formed an “Anti-Drug Task Force” and became known for confronting people he suspected of selling drugs. He also launched the Nasha Roko, Rozgar Do (“Stop Drugs, Provide Employment”) campaign, taking his message into villages and encouraging local residents to organize against the drug problem.
According to published reports, his activities helped bring attention to alleged drug sales at certain medical stores and contributed to the emergence of village-level anti-drug committees in parts of the Mansa and Bathinda regions. His videos and interventions circulated widely on social media, making him a recognizable figure in the local anti-drug movement.
Fatal Confrontation Captured on Facebook Live
According to reports by NDTV and The Free Press Journal, Jhota was questioning a drug store (chemist shop) owner Ashwani Kumar over the alleged sale of drugs when an argument escalated and shots were fired.
The livestream reportedly showed Jhota questioning the shopkeeper about the allegations and asking for CCTV footage. The shopkeeper was seen holding a pistol before the confrontation turned fatal. Jhota was taken to Mansa Civil Hospital, where he was declared dead. A hospital official cited in media reports said he had sustained three bullet injuries, including one that pierced his liver. Four other people were reported to have sustained bullet injuries.
Media reports identified Ashwani Kumar as the alleged shooter and reported that he had fled. The precise circumstances surrounding the confrontation, the allegations about drug sales, and the subsequent legal proceedings remain matters for police investigation.
Earlier Controversy Over Alleged Drug Sales
Jhota had previously attracted attention following a confrontation with a medical store owner in July 2023. Reports stated that Jhota and his supporters accused the shopkeeper of selling prohibited or addictive substances. The confrontation led to police cases involving both the shopkeeper and Jhota or his associates.
His contentious methods sometimes brought him into conflict with law-enforcement authorities. Nevertheless, his activism drew attention to a serious public concern: how suspected illegal drug sales are investigated and stopped, and whether official enforcement is sufficient to protect communities affected by substance abuse.
Questions Over Punjab’s Response to the Drug Crisis
Jhota’s killing has prompted renewed criticism of the Punjab government’s handling of the drug problem. Opposition politicians have questioned the effectiveness of the government’s anti-drug campaign and asked why responsibility for preventing the illegal sale of intoxicating medicines has not been more effectively enforced.
The case also raises broader questions about the role of drug inspectors, police, and other regulatory authorities in investigating complaints against medical stores. Such allegations must be investigated through lawful procedures, with evidence established and responsibility determined through due process.
In 2023, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had vowed to make Punjab drug-free, yet the drug crisis continues to haunt Punjab, fueling public suspicion that politicians, sections of the police, and drug dealers may be working in collusion—a perception that demands transparent investigation.
Bhai Amritpal Singh (Waris Punjab), whom Parvinder Singh Jhota sympathized with, was also engaged in anti-drug parchar, urging Punjab’s youth to reject drugs and embrace the Sikh way of life. Amritpal Singh was arrested in April 2023 and has been detained at Dibrugarh Jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA).
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