Its anti-drug activist killed, a town in Punjab cancels Dussehra celebrations

On October 13, anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa, a town in Punjab, while watching a Ramleela performance with his children. The incident occurred just a night before he was killed, making the cancellation of Dussehra celebrations by the local Dussehra committee a deeply emotional decision. Jhota, who had made a routine visit to the festivities the day before, stood outside the performance area, making his children sit on a motorcycle to watch the show.

His father, Bhim Singh, had previously appealed to the community to observe Dussehra, a festival symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Despite having completed preparations for the festival, the committee canceled the celebrations, citing the overwhelming grief over Jhota's death. The decision marked the first time in Parveen Kumar Goyal's 19 years as Dussehra committee president that the festivities had been called off.

Jhota had dedicated his life to combating drug peddlers, speaking out against drug abuse and its impact on young people. Goyal described him as someone who never troubled shopkeepers or landlords, only warning them to stop selling drugs to prevent the ruin of youth. The killing of Jhota has intensified anger over the drug menace in the region, with Goyal demanding stringent action against those involved in the trade.