Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh was shot dead in Mansa, Punjab, on 13 October 2026 by a medical store owner after he reportedly confronted the man over the suspected sale of drugs. The killing, which was captured on video, triggered a sharp political backlash, with opposition parties across the spectrum demanding accountability from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government.

BJP Demands Chief Minister's Resignation

Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Kewal Singh Dhillon expressed grief over the killing and directly called on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to step down. 'It is heartbreaking to wake up every morning and hear about murders taking place here and there. Today, I am deeply saddened that Parvinder, who was struggling so hard to stop drug abuse in Mansa, has himself been shot dead in broad daylight. No amount of condemnation is enough,' Dhillon said, speaking to reporters.

Dhillon alleged that the AAP government had 'completely failed and has been reduced to telling jokes,' adding: 'It has no right to remain in power. The Chief Minister should resign immediately and pave the way for the government to step down.' He also accused the AAP of having ridiculed the BJP's earlier anti-drug campaigns in the state, saying the roles had now reversed with 'all of Punjab mocking them.'

Akali Dal Links Killing to Mansa's Troubled Past

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia also condemned the incident, noting that the killing was captured on a live video recording. 'Parvinder had fought a major battle against drugs, and today he was shot dead in broad daylight,' Majithia said.

Majithia pointed out that Mansa is the same district where Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala was murdered in broad daylight — drawing an implicit parallel about law-and-order failures in the region. He held Chief Minister Mann personally responsible, alleging that Parvinder had repeatedly raised concerns about drug trafficking but received neither adequate attention nor security from the state.

Congress Alleges Police Deployment Crisis

Congress MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh raised a separate concern about the state of policing in Punjab, alleging that law enforcement resources were being misallocated. 'There is no law and order in Punjab. The police are being exploited. Half the police personnel in Delhi are deployed as gunmen; you can go and see for yourself. Police stations are empty, and there is no control over those who remain,' he said.

Singh further alleged that the illegal drug trade could not flourish without police protection, and called for a formal accountability process over the situation across the state.

Background and Broader Context

Punjab has long grappled with a drug abuse crisis that has drawn national attention. The AAP, which came to power in the state on an explicit promise to eradicate drug trafficking, has faced recurring criticism over its record on both drug control and law and order. The killing of an activist who was openly confronting drug networks in his locality adds a sharper edge to that critique. Notably, this incident follows a pattern of civilians engaging directly with alleged drug networks in the absence of adequate official action — a dynamic that critics argue points to a systemic gap in enforcement.

What Happens Next

Opposition parties are expected to intensify pressure on the Mann government in the days ahead, particularly if no swift arrest is made in the case. The incident is also likely to reignite debate in the Punjab Assembly over the state government's drug-eradication record and the deployment of police personnel.