-Abhishek Vij
The four drug-free marches organized by the BJP, covering Punjab’s 117 assembly constituencies since September 15th, culminated in a mega rally in Jalandhar on Wednesday, September 30th. Union Home Minister Amit Shah specially traveled to Jalandhar to address the rally. After paying obeisance at the Siddha Shaktipeeth Shri Devi Talab Temple, Shah arrived at the rally site in Paragpur. The rally site, built on 60 acres of land, included a pandal, 45 acres of which were decorated, and four parking lots were set up on 15 acres. For security reasons, the area was declared a no-fly zone from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Amit Shah arrived at the rally on time. Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon welcomed him, saying that this was not just a rally, but an opportunity to raise his voice for Punjab. Party workers began arriving at the rally site late at night. Punjab BJP in-charge Satish Poonia and State BJP President Kewal Dhillon had been busy preparing for the rally since the day before. Amit Shah’s clarion call against drug abuse at the Drug Free Rally could also be considered the beginning of the campaign for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Addressing the rally as part of the Drug Free Campaign, Amit Shah stated, “Our resolve is to completely eliminate drug abuse from Punjab before December 31, 2029. If the people of the state give us one chance, there will be no drug dealers in the state by December 31, 2029. You have seen the Congress and other parties, so give the BJP one chance, and we will transform Punjab.” He also stated that he would find solutions to farmers’ problems and provide employment to the youth. Praising Punjabis, the Home Minister said that whenever there has been a food shortage in the country, Punjab’s farmers have replenished the country’s food reserves. Furthermore, when it comes to national security, the youth of Punjab are the first to sacrifice their lives. Even today, when the slogan “Jo Bole So Nihal” is raised in the army, the Pakistani army runs away.
Amit Shah assured the people of the state that just as the BJP has eradicated Naxalism in the Northeast, they intend to work with the same determination and strength in Punjab. Amit Shah appealed to the people to give the BJP a chance and see that they will fulfill their promise of making the state prosperous. In our view, the BJP wants to create a renaissance among the people by prioritizing drug eradication in its election campaign this time. Punjab is a border state bordering enemy Pakistan. Drone infiltration from Pakistan not only drops consignments of weapons into the Indian border, but also operates a large drug smuggling network.
Meanwhile, some misguided and anti-national elements within the country spread consignments of weapons and drugs further into the country. If the BJP has come to its election campaign with the pledge to eradicate the scourge of drug abuse from Punjab, it is timely. Punjab is known for its youth, strength, and prosperity; this should always remain so. In our view, beyond politics, whether the central government or the Punjab government’s war against drugs is successful, it is in the best interest of the state of Punjab and its youth.