Jhota is martyr of Sikh community: Akal Takht

Chandigarh: Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj on Friday accorded the status of a martyr of the Sikh community to Parvinder Singh Jhota, the anti-drug activist from Punjab’s Mansa who was killed earlier this week. Giani Gargajj and Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Giani Tek Singh visited Mansa on Friday to meet the bereaved family and express their condolences.

During the visit, the Jathedar accorded Jhota the status of a martyr of the Sikh community. Jhota, an anti-drug activist, was shot dead by a medical store owner at a busy market in Mansa on Tuesday. Ashwani Kumar, the store owner who fired at Jhota when he was being questioned for selling addictive drugs to an elderly man, was subsequently arrested.

Giani Gargajj offered an ‘ardas’ (Sikh prayer) in memory of Jhota. His father, Bhim Singh, other family members and the ‘sangat’ attended the prayer. During the prayers, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, which is the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs, said Punjab’s youth were falling victim to drug overdoses, while those raising their voices against drugs were also being killed by bullets.

Bhai Parvinder Singh Jhota, he said, had attained martyrdom while fighting against the drug menace. He prayed to the Almighty to grant strength and success to the campaign against drugs initiated by Parvinder Singh, as well as the family’s ongoing struggle for justice and to dismantle the drug trade.

He also prayed that Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and members of other communities living in Punjab be blessed with the courage and determination to unite against drugs, and that the Almighty protect the state’s youth.

The Jathedar affectionately embraced Jhota’s two sons and encouraged them to remain steadfast and in high spirits. He appealed to the Sikh community and the people of Punjab to extend maximum support to the bereaved family.