The murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota sparked a widespread Punjab bandh, uniting rival political parties and organizations to challenge the AAP government's handling of the drug menace. The tragic incident, which was broadcast live, has put severe pressure on the administration regarding law and order and local enforcement failures.

The murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota sparked a widespread Punjab bandh, uniting rival political parties and organizations to challenge the AAP government's handling of the drug menace. The tragic incident, which was broadcast live, has put severe pressure on the administration regarding law and order and local enforcement failures.

The murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota sparked a widespread Punjab bandh, uniting rival political parties and organizations to challenge the AAP government's handling of the drug menace. The tragic incident, which was broadcast live, has put severe pressure on the administration regarding law and order and local enforcement failures.

A Punjab bandh called after the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota received widespread support across the state on Thursday, bringing together organisations and political parties that usually compete with one another. The killing has brought the drug problem back to the centre of Punjab’s politics and is likely to be a key issue in the 2027 Assembly elections.

For the opposition, the activist's death offers an opportunity to question the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s record on drugs. For the Mann government, it raises questions about the effectiveness of its campaign against drug trafficking and the extent to which it has been able to curb the menace.

The killing, which the victim broadcast live on social media, triggered public anger. The accused’s chemist shop and house were subsequently demolished by the authorities amid the protests. The incident has also raised questions about the availability of drugs and the role of local enforcement agencies.

The bandh received support from several quarters, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Congress, the BJP and various farmers’ and employees’ unions. This broad support has put the Mann government under pressure over its anti-drug campaign.

The government also faces a demand from the deceased's family for a CBI inquiry, backed by opposition parties. With the Assembly election approaching, the case could become a test of AAP’s claims on law and order and its ability to curb the drug trade.

The killing has renewed attention to complaints about the availability of drugs and the government’s response. The state is already facing questions over the death of a man who had questioned a minister about his son’s addiction and allegedly faced threats from the village sarpanch afterwards. The incident has added to concerns about how the authorities respond to people who raise the issue of drugs in public.

Punjab Police claim to have registered more than 60,000 FIRs in connection with drug trafficking and sales. Yet concerns persist over the availability of narcotics, including supplies allegedly brought across the border using drones. Synthetic drugs and medicines with the potential for misuse are also reported to be available through local retail outlets.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has reiterated that his government is waging a war against drugs and has promised strict action against those involved in the trade. However, the government will face questions about whether enforcement measures have reduced the availability of drugs and addressed the problem of addiction.

Drug abuse has been a longstanding problem in Punjab, a border state that also endured years of militancy. AAP had promised to make Punjab drug-free in its election manifesto and has conducted sustained campaigns against trafficking and consumption. However, the problem remains a major public concern. The BJP, too, organised a 13-day Nasha Mukt Yatra in September, while other parties have raised the issue in their political campaigns.

"It was deeply unfortunate that Punjab was now becoming known for drug abuse. There is no law and order left in Punjab; the state is witnessing jungle raj. While Punjab faced several issues of misgovernance, the biggest issue is drug abuse," BJP state president Keval Singh Dhillon said.

The murder has given the opposition a fresh case to question the government’s record. The fact that cases had previously been registered against the activist is also part of the context, though it does not resolve the questions raised by his killing or the allegations of drug sales that preceded it.

The political significance of the case extends beyond the immediate controversy. Drugs are likely to figure prominently in the 2027 Assembly elections, requiring all parties to explain how they would curb supplies, dismantle trafficking networks and address addiction.

For AAP, which has highlighted its welfare measures, the challenge will be to demonstrate progress on a problem that cuts across public health and law and order. The party’s response to the  murder, and its ability to show that its anti-drug campaign is producing results, will be closely scrutinised as the state moves towards the elections.

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