Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Friday, 16 October visited the family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, directly holding the Punjab government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responsible for his death. Jhota was shot dead in broad daylight on Tuesday while livestreaming a confrontation with a medical store owner over the alleged sale of addictive drugs — an incident that has triggered widespread anger across the district.

What Harsimrat Badal Said

'The family is going through immense grief, and the entire Punjab stands with them in this difficult time. We were mistaken to expect Chief Minister Mann to end the drug menace,' Badal told reporters at the family's residence. She alleged that drug smugglers had been emboldened under the government's protection and that anyone who raised their voice was 'shot dead.'

Badal cited earlier incidents to build her case: 'Punjab witnessed how Mohanjeet was treated after raising his voice before the Chief Minister, and how our brother Gulzar was subjected to police brutality after pleading with the Finance Minister to stop the sale of chitta.' She said the killing of Jhota followed the same pattern.

Arms Licence Row at the Centre of Controversy

Badal raised pointed questions about how the accused, Ashwani Kumar — the medical store owner who allegedly shot Jhota — was granted a fresh arms licence in 2024, despite having previously served a jail term and having his earlier licence cancelled. 'A man whose arms licence had been cancelled, who served a jail term and returned in 2023, and whose premises were raided repeatedly, was granted an arms licence in 2024,' she said.

'A person who is a repeat offender, someone who has been jailed more than once — how can they get a licence?' Badal demanded, calling on the SSP to explain the decision. She further held the drug inspector, SSP, and DSP accountable for what she described as a systemic failure.

CM Mann's Absence Draws Sharp Criticism

Badal also took aim at Chief Minister Mann's reported absence from the state during the crisis. 'Why was the chief minister sitting in Delhi? Why does he want to go to France when his state is going through such a crisis?' she asked. She alleged that a nexus of police, administration, and the state government was collectively working against Punjab's youth.

BJP Adds to the Political Pressure

Former Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sunil Jakhar separately attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over its 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' anti-drug drive, accusing the administration of 'staging theatrics' in the name of combatting drugs. Jakhar directed questions at Chief Minister Mann and State Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, asking what concrete steps had been taken against major trafficking networks and their financial transactions following the Mansa incident.

The Incident and Investigation

Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota had emerged as a prominent voice against the alleged illegal sale of drugs through chemist shops in the Mansa region. He was shot dead while livestreaming a confrontation with Ashwani Kumar, a local medical store owner, on Tuesday. The incident was captured on video, prompting immediate outrage.

Police registered a case on a complaint filed by Jhota's father and arrested the main accused in Rajasthan on Wednesday. His killing has renewed concerns over drug abuse, the availability of habit-forming medicines, and the safety of those confronting suspected drug sellers in Punjab. The case has placed the AAP government under intense scrutiny over its handling of the state's persistent drug crisis.