Amritsar: Punjab BJP spokesperson and Sikh thinker Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala said that drugs are extinguishing the lights of Punjab’s homes, while the failure of the Mann government has allowed the menace to spread further. Against this backdrop, the BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ is not merely a political programme, but a resolve to build a mass movement to rescue Punjab’s youth from the grip of drugs.
Prof. Khiala said that taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a drug-free India, the BJP, under the leadership of Punjab BJP president Sardar Keval Singh Dhillon, will fight to make Punjab safe, healthy, prosperous and drug-free with the collective strength of the people.
Appealing to the people of Punjab to join the campaign, he said, “This is not a fight of one political party; it is a fight for every mother, every sister, every father and every young person in Punjab. Let us take the voice against drugs to every household and make ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab’ a collective resolve of every family.”
Prof. Khiala said the Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal had promised to eradicate drugs from Punjab within three months, but even after four-and-a-half years, Punjab continues to suffer from the drug menace.
He questioned the Punjab government’s claims, saying, “If the government is serious about eliminating drugs, how are drugs still reaching households across Punjab? What is the government actually doing to stop the drug trade?”
He said the government’s own senior leaders have now begun publicly acknowledging its failure. The statement by Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on September 1, admitting that the government had failed to fulfil its promise of eliminating drugs, was a clear reflection of the Mann government’s failure, he said.
Prof. Khiala said it was even more disturbing that those raising questions about the drug menace were allegedly being intimidated instead of being given answers. Referring to incidents involving Mohanjeet Singh Soran and Gulzar Singh of Tur Banjara in Sangrur district, he said these incidents raise serious questions about the government’s attitude towards those questioning the drug menace.
“Questioning the government is not a crime in a democracy. If a government starts silencing those who question it about drugs instead of stopping the drug trade, how can Punjab’s youth be expected to remain safe?” he asked.
Prof. Khiala said drugs have devastated thousands of families across Punjab. Sons, husbands and fathers are being lost to addiction. The drug menace is no longer merely a social problem; it has become a serious crisis affecting Punjab’s families, society, economy and security.
He said Punjab’s youth, once known for their achievements in sports, the armed forces and nation-building, are today seeing their energy and future being destroyed by drugs.
He said the ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab’ logo is not merely a symbol but will become a pledge against drugs in the hands of every worker, every young person and every citizen across Punjab. The BJP, he said, will fight this battle decisively with the people of Punjab.
Prof. Khiala said the BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ will cover all 117 Assembly constituencies in 13 days, with four routes covering nearly 4,000 kilometres across the state.
The four journeys will culminate in a joint concluding programme on September 30, which will be addressed by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah.
He said that during the campaign, the BJP would directly engage with families affected by drugs, local NGOs, sports clubs and village-level committees. Young people and BJP workers would also be encouraged to take a collective ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab’ pledge.
Prof. Khiala appealed to people across Punjab to join the campaign in large numbers and turn the fight against drugs into a people’s movement to protect Punjab’s youth and secure the future of the state.