The Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh on Saturday praised Bhim Singh for his courage in fighting for justice following the killing of his son, anti-drugs activist Parvinder Singh Jhota.
He also accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government of failing to curb the illegal sale of intoxicating medicines.
Launching a scathing attack on the Bhagwant Mann-led government over its alleged lackadaisical approach to the case, Pargat Singh said Bhim Singh's courage in the face of personal tragedy and his appeal to people to preserve communal harmony reflected his commitment to the larger interests of Punjab.
"Who can understand the pain of a father whose son is no longer alive, and who has been sitting for days with his son's body, hoping for justice? Despite this immense personal tragedy, Bhim Singh is raising his voice for the interests of Punjab with remarkable courage and determination, which deserves appreciation," he said in Jalandhar.
Pargat Singh said Bhim Singh had been appealing to people to preserve Punjab's communal harmony and had also urged members of the Hindu community to celebrate their festivals.
Rising above his grief, the father was speaking for justice and the larger interests of the state, he said.
Congress leader accuses Punjab government of inaction
The Congress leader, however, accused the state government of failing to take effective action against the sale of intoxicating medicines, claiming that no effective steps had been taken against those involved in the trade for five years.
It was only after Jhota was shot dead in broad daylight that the government hurriedly initiated action against certain chemists and ordered the closure of their shops, he alleged.
Questioning why the government had failed to act earlier, Pargat Singh said the circumstances leading to the killing could have been prevented had timely action been taken.
He demanded the immediate resignation of the chief minister, alleging that the government had failed to control the deteriorating law and order situation and the drug trade in Punjab.
"The chief minister has lost the moral right to continue holding office," he said.
Pargat Singh questions brief Assembly session
Pargat Singh also accused the AAP government of evading accountability in the Punjab Legislative Assembly instead of discussing the demand for justice in the Jhota murder case.
The Assembly session concluded in just nine minutes on the first day on Thursday, demonstrating that the government wanted to avoid accountability on serious public-interest issues, he alleged.
Reiterating the Congress party's support for Jhota's family, Pargat Singh said the party would continue making every possible effort until justice was delivered.
Jhota's family refuses to perform last rites
Jhota's family has refused to perform the last rites of the anti-drug activist until justice is delivered. His body remains at the mortuary of the civil hospital in Mansa.
Known for raising his voice against drug abuse and the illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops, Jhota was shot inside a medical store at a busy marketplace in Mansa on October 13.
Ashwani Kumar, the store owner who allegedly opened fire on Jhota after he questioned him for selling addictive drugs to an elderly man, was taken into custody from Salasar in Rajasthan.