Punjabi NRI businessman Darshan Singh Sahsi, 68, who was shot dead in Canada in a targeted attack reportedly by the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, was best known for his massive business of recycled clothing. But the problem of illicit drugs — particularly the issue of addiction among youth in Punjab — was a crucial focus in his life.And a standout moment came in 2016, when he delivered a speech at the memorium of his nephew.
A 68-year-old Indian-origin businessman was shot dead outside his house in Canada’s British Columbia province in a suspected “targeted incident”, according to media reports and police. “I don’t want to hide the truth. My nephew has died of drug addiction,” Sahsi had said in a poignant speech at the gurdwara in his native place Rajgarh near Doraha, 20 km from Ludhiana.At the ‘bhog ardas’ (concluding prayers) for 36-year-old Jagjit Singh Sahsi, who left behind his wife and a daughter barely six years old, Sahsi addressed the grief of a village but also the community’s grave denial. Before Sahsi spoke, politicians had delivered condolence messages without mentioning drugs. Jagjit was reportedly found dead with a packet of ‘chitta’ (smack/heroin) in his hand.
