The Punjabi music industry was left in mourning on Wednesday after popular singer Rajvir Jawanda, 35, passed away from injuries sustained in a tragic road accident on September 27. Jawanda, known for his powerful voice and hit songs like Chandigarh, Mera Dil, and Patiala Shahi, had been battling for his life for over ten days at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, before succumbing to multiple organ failure at 10:55 a.m., according to Hospital Director Dr. Abhijit Singh.
The accident took place near Solan district in Himachal Pradesh, when Jawanda was reportedly traveling to Shimla on his motorcycle. According to eyewitnesses and initial reports, his bike collided with a stray cow that suddenly appeared on the road, causing him to lose control and sustain severe head and spinal injuries.
While the music world grieves, questions are now being raised about the government’s accountability. Citizens and fans have voiced outrage, pointing out the irony that while the state imposes a “cow cess” or cow tax to ensure the welfare and management of stray cattle, cows continue to roam freely on highways and city roads — creating fatal risks for motorists.
“If the government is collecting tax in the name of protecting cows, then how did a cow end up on a busy national road?” asked one social media user, echoing a sentiment shared by many. “Rajvir’s death is not just an accident — it’s a failure of governance.”
Experts have long warned that the growing stray cattle problem in northern India, particularly in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, is becoming a public safety crisis. Despite lakhs collected annually under various “cow protection” and “cow cess” schemes, implementation remains minimal, and shelters are either overcrowded or underfunded.
Fans gathered outside Fortis Hospital and across Punjab to pay tribute to the beloved singer, remembering him as not only a performer but also a humble man deeply connected to his roots. Several Punjabi artists and political leaders expressed condolences on social media, calling for an official inquiry into the circumstances that led to the accident.
Rajvir Jawanda’s untimely death stands as a painful reminder of a systemic failure where sentiment and slogans often replace action and safety. As Punjab and the music fraternity mourn, the question lingers — if the government can take money for cow welfare, why can’t it keep the roads safe from stray cattle?
A voice that once filled the hearts of millions has been silenced — not by fate alone, but by a system that forgot its own responsibility.