Pathankot: The ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, initiated from Ekta Sthal, Madhopur by BJP National President Shri Nitin Nabin under the leadership of Punjab BJP President Sardar Keval Singh Dhillon, received an encouraging public response for the second consecutive day. People came out voluntarily from their homes and shops to welcome the yatra and extend their support to the campaign against drugs.The yatra started from Pathankot and passed through Sarna, Sundar Chowk Adda and Sahora Kalan before reaching Taragarh, where an impressive public rally was held.
Addressing the rally, BJP Parliamentary Committee Member and former Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Sardar Iqbal Singh Lalpura, said that the yatra was not merely a political journey but a collective resolve to protect Punjab’s youth, society and future. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, he said that the BJP delivers on what it promises. Referring to Article 370, he said that decisive steps had been taken even on issues that were earlier considered difficult to resolve.
Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party, Lalpura alleged that a local representative was reportedly threatening people against participating in the yatra. He said that drugs have become a serious challenge for Punjab and that their impact is now reaching women as well. He claimed that nearly 100 people between the ages of 18 and 35 had lost their lives to drugs in Pathankot during the past year.
He said that tackling the drug menace requires breaking the supply chain, taking action against drug-trafficking kingpins and confiscating properties allegedly acquired with drug money. Those seeking to quit drugs, he said, must receive not only treatment but also skills and livelihood opportunities. The objective, he added, should not be limited to arrests but should be to eliminate the drug menace in a meaningful and sustainable manner.
Lalpura said that Punjab had played a leading role in defending the country during the wars of 1965 and 1971. If women and young people in Punjab are now falling prey to drugs, he said, it is a matter of serious concern in the land of warriors such as Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Hari Singh Nalwa. He said Punjab is a land of hardworking and courageous people and that a new Punjab can be built through collective efforts.
Addressing those who displayed black flags during the anti-drug yatra, Lalpura asked them to join the campaign if they were genuinely against drugs and to walk together in the fight against the menace. He appealed to people to take the campaign to villages across Punjab and resolve to make the state drug-free.
Former minister Manoranjan Kalia said that it was a matter of concern and introspection that Punjab, which had made India self-reliant in food production and shed its blood in defending the nation’s borders, was today facing the challenge of drugs. Taking a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party government, he said that a promise had been made to make Punjab drug-free, but the expected results had not emerged. He said that this was not merely his observation and referred to remarks made by the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly. He also accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of providing political opportunities to gangsters.
Yatra in-charge Rajnish Dhiman said that making Punjab drug-free would be a major step towards making the country drug-free. He said the BJP had resolved to eliminate the drug menace from its roots. He called for ensuring the rule of law and strict action against drug traffickers and gangsters.
Yatra coordinator Ravikaran Singh Kahlon said that Punjab’s youth had traditionally been known for farming, sports and defending the nation’s borders, but drugs have severely affected the younger generation. He questioned why a government that had promised to eliminate drugs within three months had failed to achieve the objective even after four and a half years. He said that the BJP had taken a resolve and would move forward step by step with public support to fulfil it.
Those present on the occasion included Punjab BJP Secretary Suraj Bhardwaj, former MLA Seema Devi, Rajesh Honey, Suresh Sharma (District President), Kuldeep Singh Kahlon, former DSP Avtar Singh, Raj Kumar Gupta, Ganeshwar Baba, Sanjeev Jaggi, Sanjeev Galota, Vishal Rinku, Avtar Singh (SC Morcha), Rajinder Singh Bittu, Rakesh Majra, Kamal Kishore Ratangarh, Surinder Baknaur, Sajjan Khiala, Sanjeev Sanju, Parshottam, Tarlok Singh, Joginder Pal, Darbari Lal, Naresh Kumar and Deepak Saini, along with a large number of BJP leaders and workers.
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