The acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has declared the death of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota as ‘martyrdom’, bestowing upon him the title ‘Shaheed Bhai Parvinder Singh’. He also issued a strong warning to the state government, asserting that the Sikh community would stand united with Jhota’s family in their pursuit of justice.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that an action committee formed to seek justice for Jhota had recently demanded martyr status for him from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), alongside several other demands directed at the state government. Jhota was reportedly shot dead by a chemist at his Mansa shop on Tuesday following a dispute related to drug dealings. The incident was captured live on Facebook, and four other individuals, including a bystander, sustained injuries during the altercation.
Giani Gargaj visited the protest site near the Deputy Commissioner’s residence in Mansa, where he questioned the adequacy of suspending the station house officer (SHO) in connection with the case. He advocated for more decisive actions against drug trafficking.
“Bhai Parvinder Singh gave his life in the fight against drugs. He was martyred. The government must listen carefully. Is suspending the SHO enough to resolve the matter? This is not a political issue. It is an issue of our existence,” Giani Gargaj stated.
He further announced that the Sikh community, under the spiritual leadership of Akal Takht Sahib, would lend its support to future programmes organised by the committee spearheading the campaign. “I appeal to everyone to come here and support this family. I pray to Guru Sahib and assure them that we will always stand with them. If you martyr one Parvinder, thousands more will rise. Sikhs and Punjabis can be killed, but they cannot be wiped out,” he added.
The Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Tek Singh Khalsa, and senior SAD leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal also met with Jhota’s family to express their solidarity and support for the demand for justice.
Giani Gargaj alleged that Parvinder Singh was targeted for his vocal opposition to the drug trade. He also raised concerns about the police response to the incident, referencing a video of the event, and criticised efforts to frame the incident as a personal dispute, suggesting these claims aimed to distract from the broader problem of drug trafficking.
SGPC to Bear Medical Expenses of Injured
In a significant announcement, Giani Gargaj confirmed that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) would cover the medical expenses of all individuals injured during the incident. He conveyed that this matter had been discussed with Parvinder Singh’s father and emphasised that supporting the affected families was a responsibility of the Sikh religious institution.
Additionally, Giani Gargaj mentioned that representatives from Baru Sahib had met with the family on Thursday and pledged to cover the educational expenses for Parvinder Singh’s two sons. He also informed that the SGPC president was scheduled to visit the family on Saturday.
Call for Action Against Drug Menace
Highlighting the pervasive threat of drug availability to Punjab’s youth, Giani Gargaj questioned the continued sale of illegal substances despite legal prohibitions. He urged the government to take stringent action against synthetic drugs and the diversion of medicines for intoxicating purposes. “The sixth river of drugs is flowing in the state,” he claimed, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Rejecting any attempts to imbue the incident with communal undertones, Gargaj asserted that the ongoing struggle was fundamentally about safeguarding Punjab’s youth and not about fostering divisions between Hindu and Sikh communities. He pointed to the widespread public support for a statewide shutdown as evidence of cross-community solidarity.
As the protest continues and the family pursues justice, Giani Gargaj appealed to the public to actively support the movement. He called upon the government to implement concrete measures to curtail drug trafficking and prevent further tragic losses of young lives.
Harsimrat Badal Backs Jhota’s Family
Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal raised serious questions regarding the accused chemist’s drug license renewal. She alleged the involvement of a significant nexus in the incident and met with Jhota’s sons. “The entire Punjab is standing with the family. Drug traffickers kill those who speak out against them. How did the accused get an arms licence? He even went to jail. How did he get his drug licence renewed? The Punjab CM still wants to go to France,” she remarked, expressing her dissatisfaction with the government’s focus.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
