Protests are taking place across the state after the murder of anti-drugs activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, Punjab. On Thursday, different organizations also observed Punjab bandh. Earlier, in the last few days, there have been reports of increasing problems for those raising their voice against drugs in Punjab. One committed suicide and the other attempted suicide. Today, Bikramjit Singh and two others were attacked in Madi Panwan village of Gurdaspur district for raising their voice against drugs, in which one died. Now the Home Ministry has taken cognizance of these matters.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought a detailed report from the Punjab government in the case of Gulzar Singh's suicide on September 8, 2026. Gulzar Singh was the father of a young drug addict. The letter from the Home Ministry said that it is alleged that before committing suicide, Gulzar Singh had raised questions on the availability of synthetic drugs in his area and had raised questions before a minister of the Punjab government. After this, Gram Panchayat and ruling party leaders harassed him a lot, after which he committed suicide.
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Cognizance of Mansa case
The Union Home Ministry has also taken cognizance of the case of murder of Parvinder Singh alias Jhota in Mansa, Punjab on 13 October 2026 and has sought a detailed report from the Punjab Government. Jhota raised his voice against the open sale and misuse of narcotics in Punjab and was shot dead by the owner of a medical shop. This incident was also captured in the camera of Jhota's phone.
The Home Ministry has also asked the Punjab government what steps have been taken to achieve the national goal of a drug-free India. This includes steps like restructuring and formation of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), mandating investigation of money in drug-related cases, review of action taken on decisions taken in NCORD meetings, creation of special courts for NDPS cases, appointment of nodal officers and action against international drug networks. A report has been sought from the government on all these.
Murder in Gurdaspur
After Mansa, a similar case has come to light today from Gurdaspur district of Punjab. Bikramjit Singh and two others, Nishan Singh and Gurmukh Singh, were attacked in Maadi Panwan village in Gurdaspur district. This attack was allegedly carried out in protest against selling drugs. Bikramjit Singh has died in this attack while Nishan Singh and Gurmukh Singh are seriously injured. The Union Home Ministry has also called for a report on this matter.
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Government is falling apart
There is Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab and the state government seems to be on the backfoot on the drug issue. Voices are being raised from within the government itself. Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh himself has admitted that the government has failed in the matter of ending drug addiction. Gulzar Singh's case started discussions all over Punjab. Young people are dying every day due to drug abuse and the situation in Punjab is becoming dire.
Bhagwant Mann government, which had promised to eliminate drug addiction in three months, could not control drug addiction despite all efforts. Today, Amit Shah had cornered the Punjab government through a social media post, after which Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann raised the issue of drugs in Gujarat and drugs coming from across the border.