Chandigarh, October 18: Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon announced on Sunday that he will wear a black turban until justice is delivered in the murder case of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota.

On Saturday, Dhillon joined the ongoing protest in Mansa town demanding justice for Jhota. There, he appealed to the people of Punjab to register their protest by wearing black turbans and black dupattas and carrying black flags until justice is delivered. Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, and those taking part in the protest accepted the appeal. BJP national spokesperson R.P. Singh has also said he will wear a black turban until justice is delivered to the family, according to reports.

"What has happened to a young man who raised his voice against drugs has deeply shaken the people of Punjab. A young man who was fighting to save Punjab's youth from drugs was brutally murdered. This is not merely the murder of Parvinder Singh; it is also a murder of law and order in Punjab," Dhillon said. He described the black turban as a symbol of protest against the government's failure and said the BJP stands firmly with the family and will raise its voice for justice at every level.

Allegations (made by Dhillon): Dhillon alleged that, instead of curbing drugs, the AAP government is trying to silence those who raise their voices against the menace. He claimed that Gulzar Singh of Toor Banjara was driven to suicide after speaking out against drugs, and that Bikramjit Singh of Mari Pannwan village in Gurdaspur was murdered. Dhillon demanded that the Chief Minister take moral responsibility and resign, and has demanded a CBI probe into the Jhota case. These are the BJP's allegations; Awaaz Punjab has not independently verified them, and no AAP government response to Sunday's announcement had been reported at the time of drafting.

The Jhota case is fast becoming the centre of Punjab's politics over drugs — Union Home Minister Amit Shah is due in Mansa, Sangrur and Gurdaspur on October 20 to meet the families of those who lost their lives after speaking out against the drug trade.

Sources: IANS, Times of India, Nation Press.