Shah Confirms Oct 20 Meetings With Anti-Drug Victims' Families; Jhota Panel Objectsਸ਼ਾਹ ਵੱਲੋਂ 20 ਅਕਤੂਬਰ ਨੂੰ ਪੀੜਤ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਦੀ ਪੁਸ਼ਟੀ; ਝੋਟਾ ਕਮੇਟੀ ਦਾ ਇਤਰਾਜ਼

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has confirmed that he will meet the families of people killed for speaking out against drug sellers in Mansa, Sangrur and Gurdaspur on Tuesday, 20 October. The announcement came in a post on his official X account on Sunday, and it was followed within hours by an objection from the committee fighting for justice for activist Parvinder Singh Jhota.

What did Shah say?

In his post, Shah said he would meet the family members of those who "recently lost their lives for raising their voices against the drug peddlers thriving under the patronage of the AAP government", according to IANS. He added that the grief of these families "cannot be expressed in words".

The Times of India quoted him as saying the Punjab government had "left no stone unturned" in pushing the state into an abyss of drug abuse, and that attempts to silence people who speak up will never succeed. He said the Government of India would track down those involved in the 'chitta' trade and put them behind bars. These are Shah's political statements and the AAP government has rejected such charges before.

A Times of India headline gave the meeting date as Monday, but the text of IANS and the Hindu's report, which cite Shah's and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu's own posts, say 20 October, a Tuesday.

Whose families are involved?

The Hindu reported that party sources said Shah is likely to meet the family of Jhota, who was shot dead in Mansa on 13 October, and the family of Gulzar Singh of Dirba in Sangrur, who died on 7 September. His family alleges he consumed poison after being harassed for questioning a minister about drug supply in his locality. Times of India named the Batala killing of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur as the third case. The Home Ministry had earlier sought reports on all three from the Punjab Chief Secretary.

Jhota committee objects to a Mansa meeting

Babushahi reported that the action committee formed after Jhota's killing decided late on Sunday to oppose Shah's proposed Mansa visit, and to urge Jhota's father, Bhim Singh Fauji, to keep his distance from the Union Home Minister. Committee leader Hardeep Singh Sidhu announced the decision, the outlet said. The family had so far held out against cremating Jhota's body while demanding justice.

Why does it matter?

Punjab goes to the polls early next year and drugs have become the main political issue. This will be Shah's second trip to the state in 20 days after his 30 September rally in Jalandhar.

When will Amit Shah meet the families in Punjab?

Shah said on X that he will meet the families in Mansa, Sangrur and Gurdaspur on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.

Will the Jhota family meet Amit Shah?

That is unclear. The action committee has decided to oppose the Mansa visit and urge the family to stay away, according to Babushahi. The family has not publicly confirmed its decision.