Anti-drug activist murder: Diljit Dosanjh says Jhota’s family should get justice
Diljit Dosanjh. Photo file:
Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has described anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead in Punjab’s Mansa last week, as a martyr and demanded justice for his family.
Mr Dosanjh shared a picture of Jhota on his Instagram on Sunday (October 19, 2026).
“Shaheed Parvinder Singh. Entire Punjab is with the family in this hour of grief. The family should get justice,” he said.
Jhota, known for raising his voice against the illegal sale of narcotics in drugstores, was gunned down in broad daylight on October 13 at a pharmacy in a busy market in Mansa.
Shop owner Ashwani Kumar opened fire on Jhota after questioning him for selling addictive drugs to an elderly man. He was taken into custody from Rajasthan’s Salasar.
The incident occurred when Jhota was hosting a Facebook Live.
Six days after Jhota was killed, his post-mortem and cremation are yet to take place as his family members and supporters are protesting at the Manse and have refused to allow the last rites until justice is served.
A joint action committee comprising various organizations and social activists formed after Jhota’s murder is demanding a CBI probe into the incident and the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, among others.
On Sunday (Oct 18, 2026), actress Neeru Bajwa said she has decided to shelve her latest Punjabi film ‘Thaapi’, a sports drama that was released in theaters on October 16, amid outrage over Jhota’s murder.
“Whatever we are today is because of Punjab and Punjabi people. The purpose of making ‘Thaapi’ is also the same, to bring life back to the fields of Punjab. Cinema is for the people. It can never be bigger than the people,” Ms. Bajwa said in her Facebook post.
“We stand with Punjab in every way, we have stood with Punjab and we will continue to stand with Punjab,” she said.
On Sunday (October 18, 2026), Punjabi singer Babbu Mann visited the Manse protest site and praised Jhota for his fight against drugs.
Published – 19 Oct 2026 14:04 IST