AI Generated Summary
- Jhota’s campaign, however, came to a violent end on Tuesday when he was shot dead following an altercation with a chemist at a shop in Mansa.
- His journey from the boxing ring through personal adversity to public campaigning reflected a dramatic transformation, ultimately ending in violence while he was pursuing a cause shaped by his own experiences.
- His academic interests soon gave way to his passion for sports, prompting a move to Jalandhar, where he joined Lyallpur Khalsa College to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree.
Before becoming a prominent voice against drug abuse in Punjab, Parvinder Singh Jhota was a promising athlete whose ambitions once revolved around the boxing ring. Known as ‘Baba Boxer’ during his college years, Jhota’s life was marked by sporting achievements, personal struggles and a determination to confront the drug menace that had once affected him.
His father, Bhim, recalled that Jhota had initially chosen the non-medical stream and enrolled at a college in Bathinda. However, his academic interests soon gave way to his passion for sports, prompting a move to Jalandhar, where he joined Lyallpur Khalsa College to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree.
It was in Jalandhar that Jhota began making a name for himself as a boxer. His talent and dedication earned him recognition among fellow students, who affectionately called him ‘Baba Boxer’. He eventually progressed to national-level competitions, raising hopes of a successful sporting career.
However, an opportunity to compete internationally did not materialise. According to his father, Jhota was unable to travel abroad for a sporting event, and another boxer was selected in his place. The replacement athlete subsequently won a gold medal and later secured a position as Deputy Superintendent of Police in Haryana.
Bhim remembered encouraging his son to consider a career in the police force, although he rarely pressed him on the subject. Friends also described Jhota as a versatile sportsperson who displayed considerable ability in cricket.
Despite his early promise, Jhota’s journey took an unexpected turn when he became involved in drug use. What followed was a difficult period that disrupted the trajectory of his life.
According to those close to him, Jhota eventually managed to overcome his struggle with addiction. Rather than distancing himself from that chapter, he drew upon his experiences to raise awareness about substance abuse and its devastating consequences.
His transformation from a person affected by addiction into an outspoken anti-drug campaigner brought him recognition in Punjab, where the problem of narcotics has remained a major social concern.
Jhota’s campaign, however, came to a violent end on Tuesday when he was shot dead following an altercation with a chemist at a shop in Mansa. The confrontation was broadcast live through his Facebook account, bringing the incident before an online audience and sparking widespread anger.
The killing triggered outrage in Mansa, with the circumstances surrounding his death drawing renewed attention to the tensions associated with anti-drug activism.
For his family and former classmates, Jhota’s death also brought back memories of a young athlete whose life had once held the promise of sporting success. His journey from the boxing ring through personal adversity to public campaigning reflected a dramatic transformation, ultimately ending in violence while he was pursuing a cause shaped by his own experiences.
