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BJP’s Anti-Drug Yatra Framed as Social Reform Programme in Punjab
The Bharatiya Janata Party has started several marches in Punjab against drug abuse.
Arjun Ram Meghwal said the march is meant to help society, not just to win political support.
He said the campaign is about protecting Punjab’s young people and future.
The march in Fazilka was the third of four planned marches.
Other marches began in Pathankot and Fatehgarh Sahib.
Meghwal blamed the Bhagwant Mann government for problems with law enforcement and drugs.
BJP leader Kewal Singh Dhillon also raised the case of Gulzar Singh, who died after consuming poison.
Gulzar Singh’s family alleged that he was harassed after asking about drug supplies.
The Punjab government’s response to these allegations was not included in the report.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal described the BJP’s Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra as a social reform effort to save Punjab and its future generations.
Meghwal flagged off the third of four statewide anti-drug yatras in Fazilka on Sunday.
The first yatra was launched in Pathankot by BJP president Nitin Nabin, while the second was launched in Fatehgarh Sahib by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
Meghwal accused the Bhagwant Mann government of ruining Punjab’s systems and alleged police collusion in the drug trade.
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon linked the suicide of Gulzar Singh to alleged harassment after he questioned the supply of drugs in his area.
- Who
- Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon and other Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were involved.
- What
- The Bharatiya Janata Party launched the third of four statewide Nasha Mukt Punjab anti-drug yatras.
- Where
- The third yatra began in Fazilka, Punjab; earlier yatras began in Pathankot and Fatehgarh Sahib.
- When
- The third yatra was flagged off on Sunday; the first was launched on Friday and the second on Saturday.
- Why
- The BJP says the yatras aim to combat drug abuse, promote social reform and protect Punjab’s future generations.
BJP’s Position
Government Response Not Reported
Nature of the yatra
BJP’s Position
Arjun Ram Meghwal said the campaign is a social reform programme to save Punjab and should not be viewed through a political lens.
Government Response Not Reported
The report does not include a response from the Bhagwant Mann government to the BJP’s characterization of the programme.
Drug trade and law enforcement
BJP’s Position
Meghwal alleged that the Bhagwant Mann government had ruined the system and that police collusion in the drug trade contributed to a collapse in law and order.
Government Response Not Reported
These claims are allegations made by Meghwal; the report provides no reply or independent verification from the Punjab government.
Gulzar Singh’s death
BJP’s Position
Kewal Singh Dhillon said Gulzar Singh was threatened after asking Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about drug supplies, while Gulzar Singh’s family alleged harassment and casteist slurs.
Government Response Not Reported
The report does not provide the Punjab government’s account of the incident or establish the allegations as confirmed facts.
Key facts
- Programme
- Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra
- Organiser
- Bharatiya Janata Party
- Yatras planned
- Four statewide anti-drug yatras
- Third yatra location
- Fazilka, Punjab
- Speaker
- Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice
- Earlier locations
- Pathankot and Fatehgarh Sahib
- Related death
- Gulzar Singh died after consuming poison on September 7
Quotes
Arjun Ram Meghwal
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice
“Some people are viewing today’s programme through a political lens; it shouldn’t be. This is a programme for social reform. This is a programme to save Punjab and its future generation. This is to make a developed Punjab.”
theprint.in
“When the police colluded in this drug trade and promoted it, the law and order situation collapsed.”
theprint.in
Sources
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