In Punjab, the highway to 2027
The drug menace in Punjab has stayed at the centre of political and social attention over the past decade or more. With the killing of anti-drug crusader Parvinder Singh Jhota, public emotions are running high. Political parties are hoping to capitalise on this, with the Assembly election due in early 2027, finds Vikas Vasudeva
On October 13, anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, aged 40, was fatally shot in the open in Punjab's Mansa town. Two weeks later, his funeral rites had not yet taken place. A section of road in the town's Tikoni area has transformed into a protest site, where giant billboards proclaim Jhota as a martyr, urging citizens not to grieve his demise, but to uphold his principles and continue the struggle against drug abuse.
Punjab has been grappling with drug addiction for over two decades. A persistent crowd, comprising elders, youngsters, women, and men, consistently gathers at the permanent demonstration site, navigating past barricades and informational signs. Traffic authorities have established detours, yet the protesters' determination to remain steadfast for the long term is evident.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
