By Satnam Singh Chahal | Punjab Outlook — Political Analysis
The fight against drugs has remained one of the biggest political and social challenges in Punjab. When the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power in March 2022, it made the eradication of drugs one of its major election promises. The party assured the people of Punjab that it would take decisive action against drug traffickers and dismantle the networks responsible for destroying the lives of thousands of young Punjabis.
During the 2022 Assembly election campaign, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal promised that Punjab could be made drug-free within three months. This announcement created considerable expectations among families who had been struggling with the drug problem for years. People hoped that the new government would take strong action against drug suppliers, political patronage and the alleged involvement of influential individuals in the drug trade.
After becoming Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann also repeatedly announced deadlines and targets for eliminating drugs from Punjab. On August 15, 2023, Mann announced that his government had prepared a blueprint to make Punjab drug-free before the next Independence Day. This meant that August 15, 2024, became an important target date for the government. However, as that date approached and passed, the drug problem remained a major concern for Punjab.
The government subsequently faced questions about the failure to achieve its earlier target. On April 16, 2024, Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal publicly referred to another deadline of December 31, 2024, for making Punjab drug-free. This announcement once again raised hopes among the public, but the December deadline also passed without Punjab becoming free from the drug menace.
On March 1, 2025, Bhagwant Mann launched another major anti-drug campaign, popularly associated with the government’s renewed war against drugs. The Chief Minister directed the police and civil administration to intensify action against drug traffickers. The government announced a three-month campaign, with the objective of ensuring that drugs would no longer be available in Punjab.
In April 2025, the government intensified its public messaging. On April 28, Punjab Police announced May 31, 2025, as the deadline for arresting drug traffickers. On May 3, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also reiterated the May 31 target for making Punjab drug-free. Once again, people were given a specific date and a fresh assurance that the government was determined to eliminate the drug menace.
However, May 31, 2025, passed without the promised objective being achieved. Instead of declaring Punjab drug-free, Punjab Police announced that the anti-drug campaign would continue for another 60 days. The continuation of the campaign raised an important question: if the government had already announced a clear deadline, why was the target not achieved?
In June 2025, Mann again maintained that the government would continue its campaign until drugs were completely eliminated. He expressed determination that the fight would not stop until drugs were no longer available in Punjab. Although continuing action against drug trafficking is necessary, the public has a legitimate right to ask how many more deadlines will be announced before measurable results are delivered.
The issue is not whether the Punjab government should conduct anti-drug operations. Such operations are essential. The real question is whether repeated announcements, police raids and arrests are sufficient to dismantle the organised networks supplying drugs to Punjab. Arresting small-time consumers or street-level sellers cannot by itself solve a problem involving supply chains, financial networks, organised trafficking and possible protection from influential people.
The government must also explain how many major drug traffickers have been convicted by courts, how much property and illegal wealth has been confiscated, how many rehabilitation centres are functioning effectively and how many young people have successfully recovered from addiction. Arrest figures and drug seizures should not be presented as the only measures of success.
Punjab’s families do not need another announcement of a new deadline. They need visible results, accountable institutions, effective rehabilitation facilities and action against those who finance, organise and protect the drug trade.
The people of Punjab deserve answers: How many deadlines will pass before the promise of a drug-free Punjab becomes a reality?
Punjab Outlook — Independent Political Analysis. Public Interest. Punjabi Perspective.