Mansa, October 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Shiromani Akali Dal Punar Surjit Youth President Gurjit Singh Talwandi on Saturday joined a protest in Mansa demanding justice in the murder case of Parvinder Singh, popularly known as Jhota, a young activist who campaigned against drugs in Punjab. Talwandi met the bereaved family, expressed his condolences and extended solidarity with those seeking justice.
On the occasion, Talwandi said lasting solutions to Punjab’s current challenges, the drug menace and Panthic issues could be achieved only through unity within the Sikh community under the supreme leadership and patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
He described Sri Akal Takht Sahib as the highest Sikh institution and a centre of Panthic unity, justice and collective leadership. He said Punjab was facing serious challenges, including drug abuse, gangsterism, unemployment and social deterioration, and stressed the need to rise above political interests and work towards unity and a common strategy.
Talwandi said it was essential to strengthen the tradition of resolving Panthic issues through deliberations under the guidance of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, rather than allowing them to become instruments of political gain or internal rivalries.
Speaking about Jhota’s murder, Talwandi said the killing of a young man who had raised his voice against drugs raised serious questions about law and order in Punjab and the government’s claims regarding its anti-drug campaign.
He said that while the government was raising slogans about a drug-free Punjab, the family of a young man who had campaigned against drugs was being forced to stage a protest to seek justice.
Government accountability, he said, could not be fulfilled merely through statements and advertisements. People needed to see concrete action against drug-trafficking networks and justice being delivered.
Talwandi demanded that the investigation into Jhota’s murder be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure an impartial and thorough probe and restore the confidence of the family and the public.
He said the investigation should not be limited to the accused allegedly involved in the crime but should examine all possible links connected with the incident. He called for scrutiny of the accused’s phone calls and possible contacts before the shooting, as well as the potential involvement of other individuals or networks.
He also questioned the basis on which an arms licence was issued to the accused if, as he claimed, five criminal cases had previously been registered against him. He sought an investigation into the officials or individuals who may have played a role in the licensing process.
Talwandi said these questions needed clear answers and that no influential person should be considered above the law.
He further said protecting Punjab’s youth from drugs was not merely an administrative responsibility of the government but a shared duty of the Sikh Panth and society. He described it as deeply concerning that young people continued to lose their lives to drugs while those speaking out against the menace had to struggle for justice.
To carry forward Jhota’s ideals and campaign, Talwandi said it was necessary to dismantle drug-trafficking networks, ensure that those found guilty were punished in accordance with the law, and build a public movement to protect young people from substance abuse.
Assuring full support for programmes to be announced by the committee formed to seek justice, Talwandi said Shiromani Akali Dal Punar Surjit stood with the bereaved family and the people demanding justice.
He said collective efforts beyond political differences were necessary to make Punjab drug-free, strengthen Panthic unity and secure the state’s future. He reiterated that strengthening unity and collective leadership under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib could be a meaningful step towards resolving Punjab’s major challenges.
Those present at the protest included SGPC executive member Master Mithu Singh Kahanke, Navinder Singh Longowal, Bhupinder Singh Ghuman, Gursewak Singh Maniana, Sindarpal Ubhaawal, Randhir Singh, Jatinder Singh Dialgarh, Rampal Singh Behniwal, Lakhwinder Singh Musa, Amandeep Singh Bhalaike, Gurwinder Singh Patwari, the Sangrur district president, SGPC member Teja Singh Kamalpur, Karan Ghuman of Canada, Amanveer Singh Cherry, Malkit Singh Samao, Kaur Singh Khara, Randhir Singh Samura, Harjot Singh, Harjinder Singh Ramgarh Sandhuan, Kashmir Singh Dirba, Satgur Singh Namol, Pritpal Singh Handa, Kuldeep Singh Bugra, Jassi Boha, Vicky Chhajli, Gurpreet Singh Sahoke, Taranjit Singh Duggal, Harpreet Singh Rajia Bhadaur and Jeevan Kumar Dirba, along with several other leaders and justice campaigners.
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