‘Is raising voice against drugs a death sentence?’ Rahul Gandhi slams AAP govt in Punjab

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the reported death of an anti-drug activist, questioning whether speaking out against the drug menace had become a life-threatening act in the state.

Raising concerns about the safety of people campaigning against drug abuse, the Congress leader questioned the Bhagwant Mann government's handling of law and order and demanded accountability for the incident. “Is raising voice against drugs a death sentence in Punjab?” Gandhi asked, highlighting the risks faced by those challenging the drug problem.

The remarks have brought renewed political attention to Punjab's longstanding struggle against narcotics trafficking and addiction, an issue that has remained central to public debate and successive state governments' policy priorities.

𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮

Gandhi's criticism followed the killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota, a 42-year-old anti-drug campaigner who was shot dead in a busy market in Punjab's Mansa district on Tuesday. Jhota, known for confronting suspected drug sellers and highlighting the alleged illegal sale of addictive medicines, was reportedly livestreaming an argument at a medical store when he was shot.

Police identified the alleged shooter as medical store owner Ashwani Kumar, who had previously been involved in a dispute with Jhota over allegations of illegal drug sales. Kumar was subsequently arrested. The killing triggered protests and demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder.

𝗥𝗮𝗵𝘂𝗹 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

In a post on X, Gandhi alleged that when Jhota had earlier complained about drug-related activities, police registered a case against the activist himself. He questioned how drug traffickers could be effectively prosecuted if people reporting suspected offences faced legal action instead.

The Congress leader also referred to incidents in Mansa and Sangrur while accusing the state government of failing to protect people working against drug abuse. He asked who would safeguard citizens seeking to protect Punjab's youth from addiction. His allegations about the handling of earlier complaints have not been independently established.

𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗯 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗵 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴

The killing prompted Jhota's family and supporters to call for a Punjab bandh on Thursday, drawing backing from opposition parties, farmers' organisations and social activists. The family has demanded a CBI investigation and a post-mortem examination at PGIMER, Chandigarh, while also seeking accountability from senior state officials.

Jhota's family has refused to perform his last rites until its demands are addressed. Protests following the murder have intensified scrutiny of the government's anti-drug campaign and the safety of grassroots activists confronting suspected narcotics networks.

𝗔𝗔𝗣 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱

The ruling AAP has defended the police response, maintaining that action was taken promptly against those implicated in the killing. Party general secretary Baltej Pannu said the Bhagwant Mann government followed a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal activities and that no political leader would be allowed to obstruct the investigation.

The state government has also maintained that its Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign is aimed at dismantling drug networks through enforcement, prevention and public participation. Chief Minister Mann has scheduled a review of the anti-drug drive and law-and-order situation for October 16, involving senior police and administrative officials.

The murder has nevertheless sharpened the political confrontation between the Congress and AAP, with Gandhi's remarks placing renewed emphasis on whether those exposing suspected drug-related offences receive adequate protection. The investigation into Jhota's killing remains central to determining the circumstances of the attack and fixing criminal responsibility.