Pratap Bajwa Targets Centre Over Amit Shah’s Jalandhar Rally

Addressing the issue of drug abuse in Punjab, Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa questioned both the Central and Punjab govts regarding Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Jalandhar. Shah arrived in Jalandhar to attend the concluding event of the BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ (Drug-Free Punjab Campaign).

Speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, Bajwa stated that drug abuse is ruining the lives of the youth in Punjab. He asserted that before visiting Jalandhar, the Home Minister should explain what actions the Centre has taken so far to curb the influx of drugs and weapons via drones from across the border. He noted that while the Centre had announced plans to extend its jurisdiction in the border areas from 15 km to 50 km, the supply of drugs into border districts continues unabated.

Bajwa questioned why the drug supply lines in Punjab remain unbroken and demanded answers regarding the specific actions taken by the Centre and the BSF along the approximately 550-kilometer border stretch. He remarked that while smuggling networks could be traced using mobile location data and technology, the expected level of action in this regard is missing.

Questions Raised Over Government Claims

The Leader of the Opposition also challenged the Punjab government’s claim regarding the arrest of approximately 70,000 drug smugglers. He asked how many assets belonging to these accused individuals had been confiscated and how many major supply networks had been dismantled. According to available government data, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had claimed in August that 70,000 arrests had been made during a 500-day anti-drug campaign.

Drugs And Gangsterism Emerge As Challenges

Bajwa added that the government should also provide clarity regarding the capacity of Punjab’s jails and the statistics surrounding these arrests. Targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, he stated that while the government had promised to make Punjab drug-free upon coming to power, the situation remains critical.

Bajwa noted that he hails from a border area and has been consistently raising the issue of drug-related deaths in his constituency. He remarked that after the 15-year period of terrorism, Punjab now faces major challenges in the form of drug abuse and gangsterism; the drug menace is also adversely affecting sports in the state. He urged the central and Punjab governments to work together rather than engaging in a blame game.

Such Situations In Universities Ahead Of Elections Are Concerning

Describing the recent incidents at Chitkara University and Lovely Professional University as serious, he called for a thorough investigation into these events prior to the elections. He questioned who was involved in these incidents and who would compensate for the damage caused to Punjab’s economy and educational institutions.

Bajwa stated that the BJP should present its report card to the public before seeking votes in Punjab, specifically detailing what the Centre has achieved regarding the drug crisis and border security. He also raised questions during the press conference about the recent incidents at two major private universities in Punjab Lovely Professional University and Chitkara University.

Demand For An Impartial Inquiry

He remarked that such incidents in educational institutions just before the elections are a cause for concern and called for an impartial investigation to identify those responsible. Bajwa noted that these incidents have a direct impact on Punjab’s education sector and economy. Referring to the damage incurred at the universities, he asked who would compensate for the loss of property worth crores of rupees.

He also demanded a comprehensive probe into the incident at Chitkara University, urging the government to take serious measures to prevent the recurrence of such events during the election period. Linking both incidents to law and order and the safety of the youth in Punjab, Bajwa demanded that accountability be fixed.