Who Was Parvinder Singh Jhota? The Anti-Drug Activist Whose Murder Sparked Outrage

Parvinder Singh Jhota, a prominent anti-drug activist, was cremated in Mansa after his murder sparked significant protests and political turmoil in Punjab. His tragic death, which occurred during a Facebook Live session, has led to calls for justice and accountability from the government. Jhota's family and supporters are demanding a trauma center in his name and compensation for the injured. The incident has intensified the ongoing debate about drug abuse in the state, with various political leaders visiting his family to express their condolences. This article delves into the events surrounding his death and the implications for Punjab's political landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 8, 2026, 16:32 IST

Final Farewell for Parvinder Singh Jhota

In Mansa, the remains of Parvinder Singh Jhota, a dedicated anti-drug activist, were cremated on Sunday, 26 days after his tragic murder sparked widespread protests and political controversy.

A significant crowd gathered to pay their respects as his body was transported from Chandigarh, where a post-mortem was conducted at PGIMER.

The cremation took place at Jhota's fields located on Chakerian Road.

Jhota was fatally shot on October 13 while conducting a Facebook Live session at a medical store in a bustling market in Mansa. The store owner, who shot him after being confronted about selling drugs to an elderly customer, has since been apprehended.

Many individuals also visited his home to honor his memory before the cremation.

Bhim Singh, Jhota's father, urged the youth of Punjab to commit to fighting drug abuse, emphasizing that his son sacrificed his life in this battle.

"I express my gratitude to the joint action committee for their unwavering support," he stated to the media.

The joint action committee (JAC), also known as the Parminder Singh Jhota Insaaf Action Committee, was established by various social organizations and activists in Punjab following Jhota's death.

Jhota's body was taken to PGIMER Chandigarh from the Civil Hospital mortuary in Mansa early Friday morning, after his family concluded a 22-day protest and consented to a post-mortem following discussions with Punjab government officials on November 4.

The family, along with the JAC, had been protesting in Mansa, demanding justice for the slain activist.

On October 28, two members of the JAC, Lakhvir Singh and Mohanjit Singh Sheron, were detained during the protests.

On the evening of November 5, these members were released from Nabha district jail after negotiations between the protesters and government representatives, including Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on November 4.

The murder has ignited a political debate in Punjab, which is preparing for elections early next year.

Opposition parties criticized the AAP government for the ongoing drug crisis in the state, with several prominent figures, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and Pargat Singh, visiting Jhota's family.

The JAC has been calling for the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.

In response to the family's demands, the Punjab government has assigned the investigation of Jhota's murder to the CBI. Additionally, the state has suspended a station house officer, a deputy superintendent of police, and a drug inspector linked to the case.

The family is also advocating for the establishment of a trauma center in Jhota's honor and compensation for the four individuals injured during the incident, which the government has agreed to.

Other commitments from the government include the installation of a statue of Jhota in a park or stadium.