Raghav Chadha slams AAP govt over Jhota killing, Punjab drug crisis
Synopsis
BJP MP Raghav Chadha has levelled his sharpest attack yet on the AAP government in Punjab, calling the daylight shooting of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa a direct consequence of Bhagwant Mann's law and order collapse. With Jhota's father refusing cremation and appealing to the Centre for safety, the case has become a flashpoint in Punjab's long-running drug crisis.
Key Takeaways
Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa, Punjab , reportedly while confronting a medical store owner over alleged drug sales.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha blamed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann 's AAP government for the killing, citing a breakdown in law and order.
Chadha posted on X , alleging Punjab now leads on what he called the 'Ease of Selling Drugs Index' with open chemist-level drug sales.
Jhota's father has refused to cremate his son's body until the shooters and local drug sellers face action, and has reportedly appealed to the Centre for intervention.
The AAP government's flagship anti-drug campaign 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' has come under renewed scrutiny amid charges that it has failed to dismantle the 'chitta' network.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday, 13 October launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, condemning the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa and accusing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's administration of enabling a breakdown in law and order and failing to check narcotics trafficking across the state.
The Jhota Killing
According to Chadha, Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in broad daylight in Mansa while confronting a medical store owner over alleged drug sales — and the entire incident was reportedly recorded live. Jhota had, for years, been a vocal campaigner against the so-called 'chitta' network — street-level synthetic drug distribution — which, critics argue, has expanded significantly since AAP came to power in Punjab.
Jhota's father has reportedly refused to cremate his son's body until action is taken against both the shooters and local drug sellers. He has publicly blamed the AAP government for his son's death. According to Chadha, when Jhota's family had to appeal to the Centre for basic safety guarantees, it signalled a complete collapse of state-level protection for those fighting the drug trade.
Chadha's Charges Against the AAP Government
In a post on X, Chadha alleged: 'Punjab now ranks No.1 on the ‘Ease of Selling Drugs Index’. Walk into any shop near you or get 10-minute delivery at your doorstep.' He further wrote: 'The daylight murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa is not just another crime. It is a direct outcome of the complete breakdown of law and order under Bhagwant Mann's government.'
Chadha also took direct aim at the AAP's flagship anti-drug campaign. In a second X post, he wrote: 'Bhagwant Mann's ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ has turned into a war against those who still try to fight it. The accused roam around freely. The warehouse keeps operating. And Punjab's youth continue to pay the price. #JusticeForJhota.'
The Broader Drug Crisis in Punjab
Punjab has long battled a severe drug problem, with synthetic opioids — particularly 'chitta' — devastating the state's youth over the past decade. The AAP had made the elimination of the drug trade a central plank of its 2022 election campaign, with Bhagwant Mann's government launching the 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' (War Against Drugs) initiative after coming to power. Critics, however, argue that ground realities have worsened rather than improved, with open drug sales at chemist shops and rising activist intimidation flagged repeatedly.
Notably, this is not the first time an anti-drug campaigner in Punjab has faced violent reprisals — a pattern that opposition parties say demonstrates systemic impunity for drug networks operating in the state.
What Happens Next
The BJP's attack adds political pressure on the Mann government to make arrests in the Jhota case and demonstrate credible action against the drug supply chain in Mansa. Jhota's family's demand for Centre intervention — bypassing the state government — reflects a deepening trust deficit. All eyes are now on whether the Punjab Police will act swiftly against the accused, and whether the AAP administration will respond to the mounting calls for accountability.
Point of View
But the AAP staked its 2022 mandate specifically on ending it — making every subsequent high-profile failure doubly damaging. That an activist's family had to appeal to the Centre for basic safety guarantees, bypassing the elected state government entirely, signals a trust deficit that no press statement can paper over. The BJP's aggressive framing on X is also a reminder that Punjab remains a critical political battleground — and that the drug issue is far from neutralised as a weapon against the ruling party.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota and how was he killed?
Parvinder Singh Jhota was an anti-drug activist from Mansa, Punjab, who had campaigned for years against the 'chitta' drug network in the region. He was reportedly shot dead in broad daylight while confronting a medical store owner over alleged drug sales, with the incident recorded live.
What did Raghav Chadha say about the AAP government's response?
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha posted on X accusing the AAP government of enabling a complete breakdown in law and order in Punjab. He alleged that chemists are selling 'chitta' openly and that activists like Jhota are being 'eliminated for asking questions' under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's watch.
What is the 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' campaign?
'Yudh Nashean Virudh' — meaning War Against Drugs — is the AAP government's flagship anti-narcotics initiative launched after Bhagwant Mann came to power in Punjab in 2022. Critics, including Chadha, argue it has failed to dismantle drug supply networks at the ground level.
What has Jhota's family demanded?
Jhota's father has reportedly refused to cremate his son's body until action is taken against the shooters and local drug sellers involved in the case. He has publicly blamed the AAP government and, according to Chadha, has appealed to the Centre for basic safety guarantees.
Why is Punjab's drug problem significant?
Punjab has battled a severe synthetic drug crisis for over a decade, with 'chitta' — a street-level opioid — particularly devastating the state's youth. The issue has been a central political flashpoint, with the AAP having campaigned in 2022 specifically on eliminating the drug trade. Continued violence against anti-drug activists has intensified scrutiny of the administration's effectiveness.
