Voice against drugs silenced: BJP targets Punjab AAP govt, seeks CBI investigation
Chandigarh, October 14: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held protests across Punjab on Wednesday to protest the murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota, a young social activist who raised his voice against drug trafficking in Mansa, during a Facebook Live. The BJP staged sit-ins at 36 district headquarters across the state, raising slogans against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, and demanded a CBI investigation into the murder.
The BJP State General Secretary Anil Sareen said that party workers sent memorandums to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria through the Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts, demanding an impartial investigation into the murder, strict action against the culprits, and security for the victim’s family.
Anil Sareen stated that Parvinder Singh Jhota had long been raising his voice against drug trafficking and illegal drug sales in Mansa. He also campaigned to prevent youth from drug abuse. According to the BJP, he was shot dead in public on October 13th. This incident raises serious questions about the safety of those who speak out against drug abuse.
The BJP leaders claimed that the deceased’s father named the local MLA in his statement. The party also stated that eyewitnesses reported the attacker was talking to someone on the phone just before the shooting. Based on these facts, the BJP demanded a thorough investigation into all aspects of the case. However, these allegations have not been independently confirmed. In the memorandum, the BJP demanded that
the murder investigation be immediately handed over to the CBI. All digital evidence, including the attacker’s call records, WhatsApp chats, CCTV footage, and Facebook Live recordings, be preserved. Furthermore, the victim’s family, especially the minor children, be provided immediate police protection.
The party also demanded an investigation into the drug trafficking network operating in Punjab and the alleged political patronage it receives. BJP leaders said that action should be taken against everyone involved in the case without any political pressure.
Calling the murder a serious matter concerning the state’s law and order, the BJP appealed to the Governor to intervene. The party alleged that the government has failed to ensure the safety of those who speak out against drug abuse.
