Chandigarh: The Congress on Thursday accused the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of failing to protect people speaking out against drug abuse. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi cited incidents in Mansa and Sangrur, alleging that those challenging the drug trade were facing violence, intimidation and, in some cases, death.
In a post on X, Gandhi said speaking out against drugs in Punjab had become life-threatening under the AAP government. He questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the safety of anti-drug activists and asked who would protect those fighting to save the state’s youth from substance abuse.
Referring to the killing of Parvinder Singh Jhotta in Mansa, Gandhi said the activist had been running a campaign called “Stop Drugs, Provide Jobs” when he was shot in broad daylight. The shooting was reportedly captured during a Facebook Live broadcast.
Gandhi also raised the death of labourer Gulzar Singh in Sangrur, the chief minister’s home district. According to Gandhi, Gulzar had raised the issue of drug abuse in his village in front of a minister. His family allegedly claimed that he was subsequently pressured to apologise before he later died by suicide.
The Congress leader further referred to allegations of custodial torture involving Mohanjeet Singh, who had spoken out against drugs in Sangrur. The matter is now before the Punjab and Haryana high court, Gandhi said.
Questioning the handling of Jhotta’s complaints, Gandhi alleged that after the activist approached the police, an FIR was registered and a case was subsequently filed against Jhotta himself.
He questioned why alleged drug traffickers would fear consequences if people who report suspected drug-related activities could also face criminal cases.
Gandhi demanded accountability from Mann and called on the Punjab government to explain how it would protect those challenging the drug trade. He said the Congress would continue its campaign until the drug network threatening the future of Punjab’s youth was dismantled.
The allegations raised by Gandhi concern several separate incidents and have not been independently established in their entirety.
