Punjab, Jalandhar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Punjab on Wednesday for the concluding programme of the BJP’s 13-day ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, with the party’s anti-drug campaign culminating in a major programme in Jalandhar.
The visit comes amid a political debate over Punjab’s drug problem, with Shah targeting the Aam Aadmi Party government and outlining the Centre’s broader strategy to tackle drug trafficking and addiction.
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Shah Arrives in Punjab for Anti-Drug Programme
Shah’s visit marks the culmination of the BJP’s statewide anti-drug campaign, which began on September 18 and covered all 117 Assembly constituencies across Punjab.
The four ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab’ yatras started from different parts of the state, including Madhopur in Pathankot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka and Talwandi Sabo. The campaign covered nearly 4,000 km and focused on the drug menace, along with issues related to governance and law and order.
The four yatras converged in Jalandhar for the concluding programme.
Shah Meets Families Affected by Drug Abuse
As part of his Punjab programme, Shah is scheduled to interact with families affected by drug abuse. The BJP’s campaign has highlighted accounts of addiction, deaths, financial difficulties and the challenges faced by families seeking treatment.
The interaction is expected to focus on the impact of drug abuse on families and communities and the measures required to tackle both drug trafficking and addiction.
Shah Targets AAP Over Punjab Drug Crisis
During his Punjab campaign, Shah launched a political attack on the AAP government, alleging that the state had been pushed further into the grip of synthetic drugs.
Shah also referred to the Delhi liquor policy case, arguing that those associated with what he described as the Delhi liquor scam cannot lead a campaign against addiction. These are political allegations made by Shah and the BJP and remain part of the wider political contest over responsibility for Punjab’s drug problem.
The BJP has accused the Punjab government of failing to adequately control the drug menace, while the state government and AAP have rejected such political attacks.
‘Drug-Free’ Deadline and Centre’s National Plan
Shah has also set out a broader national target of December 31, 2029, for eliminating the drug trade from India.
At a national conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force heads on September 22, Shah said the government’s strategy would focus on dismantling complete drug-trafficking networks rather than measuring success only through the quantity of drugs seized.
The strategy includes targeting trafficking networks at their entry points, interstate distribution routes and local-level networks, along with action against financial and digital channels used by drug traffickers.
Focus on Synthetic Drugs and Youth
The Centre has also identified synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals as important challenges in the fight against narcotics.
The government has been promoting the ‘Nashamukt Bharat’ campaign and has set a target of creating one lakh ‘Nashamukt Mitras’ to support awareness and prevention efforts, particularly among young people.
As of September 22, more than 46,000 Nashamukt Mitras had reportedly registered under the initiative.
Jalandhar Marks Conclusion of BJP’s Punjab Yatra
The Jalandhar programme marks the conclusion of the BJP’s 13-day ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’. The campaign covered Punjab extensively before culminating in Shah’s visit.
The BJP has said the anti-drug campaign will continue beyond the yatra, while the Opposition has questioned the Centre and the state government over their respective roles in tackling drug trafficking in Punjab.
Shah’s Jalandhar programme therefore combines the BJP’s anti-drug campaign with a wider political message on Punjab’s drug crisis, while the Centre’s December 2029 target places the issue within its broader national anti-narcotics strategy.
Amit Shah Offers Prayers at Shri Devi Talab Mandir Ahead of Jalandhar Rally
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday visited the historic Shri Devi Talab Mandir in Jalandhar and paid obeisance at the temple ahead of his scheduled address at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally in the city.
During his visit, Dainik Savera Editor-in-Chief Shital Vij and Joint Editor, Dainik Savera News and Media Network, Abhishek Vij welcomed Amit Shah along with BJP Punjab President Kewal Singh Dhillon.
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