Mansa: The body of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta reached Mansa on Sunday morning after being handed over to his family at PGI Chandigarh following the completion of the postmortem examination. His mortal remains have been brought to his residence in Mansa.
Jhotta will be cremated on Diwali at his ancestral land on Chakherian Road. The family plans to perform the last rites around 1 pm.
The family said flowers would be showered on his mortal remains in recognition of his contribution to society and his campaign against drugs. Speaking to ANI, relatives described Jhotta as a “warrior” who sacrificed his life for the people and society of Punjab. They said his sacrifice should inspire young people to fight against drug abuse.
“We are welcoming our warrior. Usually, people mourn, but we feel proud. We belong to a community whose members were placed on spiked wheels, boiled in cauldrons and cut with saws. He is our warrior,” a family member said while preparing for the cremation.
Another relative, Jaspal, said the Sri Akal Takht Sahib had accorded Jhotta the status of a martyr, and flowers would be showered on him as a mark of respect.
Jhotta’s body was first taken to the protest site, where people showered flowers along the route. A large procession followed the vehicle carrying his mortal remains.
His father, Bhim Singh Fauji, made an emotional appeal to the youth of Punjab, urging them to resolve on the auspicious occasion of Diwali to give up drugs and stay away from substance abuse. He said this would be the true tribute to his son and appealed to people to maintain peace.
Bhim Singh said Jhotta had raised his voice against drugs and that the responsibility of carrying forward his ideals and struggle now rested with every young person in Punjab. He added that the joy of Diwali would be meaningful only when the state’s youth pledged to free themselves from drugs.
Jhotta was allegedly shot dead at a medical store on October 13. His cremation is being held nearly 26 days after the incident.
