Archive · 24 Sep 2026
SAD Launches Women-Led Anti-Drug Campaign Ahead of Punjab Polls
The Shiromani Akali Dal has started a campaign about Punjab’s drug problem.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal is leading gatherings mainly for rural women.
Some participants come from families affected by drug addiction.
They march to government offices and submit memorandums asking for action and rehabilitation.
The campaign began on September 21 in parts of the Malwa region.
Harsimrat has criticized the AAP government and promised tougher action against drug traffickers.
She has also connected the issue with jobs, food supplies, inflation and welfare benefits.
The SAD campaign is one of three major political outreach efforts ahead of Punjab’s 2027 election.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal is leading the SAD’s women-focused “Maawan-Dheeyan Insaaf” campaign across rural Punjab.
The campaign began on September 21 and has covered Rampura Phul, Nathana, Mansa, Sardulgarh, Lambi and Gidderbaha.
Women from families affected by drug addiction are joining marches that submit memorandums to executive magistrates.
Harsimrat has accused the AAP government of failing to curb drug trafficking and has demanded action and independent investigations.
The SAD effort contrasts with the BJP’s statewide yatra and AAP’s door-to-door governance report-card campaign.
- Who
- The Shiromani Akali Dal, led in this campaign by Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, along with women from families affected by drugs.
- What
- A women-led anti-drug campaign involving rural gatherings, marches and memorandums submitted to executive magistrates.
- When
- The campaign began on September 21, with activities described through September 23, ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly election.
- Where
- Rural Punjab, particularly the Malwa region, including Rampura Phul, Nathana, Mansa, Sardulgarh, Lambi and Gidderbaha.
- Why
- To demand action and rehabilitation over drug addiction, criticize the AAP government, mobilize rural women and strengthen the SAD’s political presence.
SAD’s Targeted Rural Mobilisation
AAP and BJP Outreach Models
Campaign strategy
SAD’s Targeted Rural Mobilisation
The SAD is using women-led gatherings and local marches focused on rural constituencies and families affected by drugs.
AAP and BJP Outreach Models
The BJP is using a statewide anti-drug yatra, while AAP is using booth-level workers and door-to-door outreach.
Political messaging
SAD’s Targeted Rural Mobilisation
Harsimrat Kaur Badal says the AAP government has failed to control drug trafficking and links the issue to welfare and rural grievances.
AAP and BJP Outreach Models
The BJP is emphasizing drugs, law and order and corruption, while AAP is presenting the government’s report card directly to voters.
Geographic reach
SAD’s Targeted Rural Mobilisation
The SAD campaign has a smaller, Malwa-centric footprint centered on targeted constituencies.
AAP and BJP Outreach Models
The BJP’s four yatras are planned to cover all 117 assembly constituencies, while AAP’s exercise is organized across households and booths.
- Campaign name
- Maawan-Dheeyan Insaaf
- Campaign leader
- Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Bathinda MP
- Start date
- September 21
- Locations listed
- Rampura Phul, Nathana, Mansa, Sardulgarh, Lambi and Gidderbaha
- Main demands
- Action against drug trafficking, rehabilitation and independent investigations into cited cases
- Related issues
- Women’s welfare, ration, unemployment, inflation and social-security benefits
- Election context
- Punjab’s 2027 assembly election