Punjab BJP demands CBI probe in anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota murder
Synopsis
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon visited the Mansa protest site over the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, demanding a CBI probe and urging people to wear black turbans against the AAP government. With Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly seeking explanations from the Punjab government in three cases including this one, the murder of a grassroots anti-drug voice is fast becoming a major political battleground.
Key Takeaways
Punjab BJP state President Kewal Singh Dhillon visited the Mansa protest site on 17 October over the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota .
Dhillon demanded a CBI investigation and urged protesters to wear black turbans and carry black flags until justice is delivered.
He alleged the AAP government had failed to curb the drug trade despite promising to eradicate it within three months of taking power.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reportedly sought explanations from the Punjab government in three cases , including the Jhota murder.
Dhillon also cited the alleged suicide of Gulzar Singh of Toor Vanjara and the unresolved murders of Sidhu Moosewala and Sandeep Nangal Ambian as part of a broader pattern.
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state President Kewal Singh Dhillon on Saturday, 17 October visited the protest site in Mansa, where residents and supporters have been demanding justice in the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. Dhillon reiterated the party's call for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and urged people to wear black turbans and carry black flags until justice is delivered to Jhota's family.
BJP's Appeal at the Protest Site
Addressing a gathering of protesters, Dhillon described Jhota as a 'warrior who fought to protect Punjab's youth from addiction.' He called on people to wear black turbans and black dupattas and carry black flags as a symbolic protest against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state government. The appeal was reportedly met with loud slogans and was welcomed by Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, and others present at the site. Dhillon also met Bhim Singh and Jhota's wife, offering his condolences.
Allegations Against the AAP Government
Dhillon alleged that the AAP government had failed Punjab in addressing the drug menace, pointing out that the party had promised to eradicate drugs within three months of coming to power, yet the drug trade continued to flourish across the state. He alleged that instead of curbing the problem, those who raised their voices against drugs were being silenced. Dhillon said he had 'little hope' that the state government would deliver justice in the Jhota case, adding that he had written to the Punjab Governor on the very first day demanding a CBI investigation.
Other Cases Cited by BJP
The BJP state chief broadened the scope of his criticism, citing multiple cases he claimed reflected a pattern of impunity. He alleged that Gulzar Singh of Toor Vanjara had been driven to suicide after speaking out against drugs. He also referenced the murders of singer Sidhu Moosewala and kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian, claiming their families were still awaiting justice.
Centre's Involvement
Dhillon stated that the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had taken serious note of the Jhota murder case. According to him, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had sought explanations from the Punjab government in three cases, including the Jhota murder. The BJP's push for a CBI probe signals an intent to escalate the matter beyond the state's jurisdiction, a move that is likely to intensify political pressure on the AAP administration.
Background and What's Next
Parvinder Singh Jhota had been publicly vocal against the drug trade in Punjab — a state that has long grappled with a severe addiction crisis, particularly among its youth. His murder has galvanised local communities and drawn national political attention. With the BJP formally demanding a CBI inquiry and the Centre reportedly seeking answers from the state government, the case is set to become a significant flashpoint in Punjab's political landscape in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
And the murder of a grassroots activist who publicly named the problem deserves rigorous investigation regardless of which party governs. The demand for a CBI probe is a standard BJP escalation tactic against non-BJP state governments, yet the Centre's reported move to seek explanations from Chandigarh adds institutional weight that cannot be dismissed as mere theatre. What remains unresolved is whether any investigation — state or central — will produce convictions rather than headlines.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota?
Parvinder Singh Jhota was an anti-drug activist from Punjab who had publicly raised his voice against the drug trade in the state. His murder triggered protests in Mansa, with demonstrators demanding justice and a CBI investigation into the case.
What is the BJP demanding in the Parvinder Singh Jhota murder case?
The Punjab BJP has demanded a CBI investigation into Jhota's murder, arguing that the state government cannot be trusted to deliver justice. BJP state President Kewal Singh Dhillon has also written to the Punjab Governor seeking a central probe.
What did Union Home Minister Amit Shah do in connection with this case?
According to BJP state President Kewal Singh Dhillon, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has sought explanations from the Punjab government in three cases, one of which is the Jhota murder case. This suggests the Centre is monitoring the matter closely.
Why is the BJP calling on people to wear black turbans?
The BJP has urged people to wear black turbans and black dupattas and carry black flags as a symbolic protest against the AAP-led Punjab government, which it accuses of failing to tackle the drug menace and of allowing those who speak out against drugs to be silenced.
What other cases did BJP cite alongside the Jhota murder?
BJP state President Dhillon cited the alleged suicide of Gulzar Singh of Toor Vanjara, who reportedly spoke out against drugs, as well as the unresolved murders of singer Sidhu Moosewala and kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian, whose families, he claimed, are still awaiting justice.
