SATINDER BAINS EDITOR
By SATINDER BAINS
CHANDIGARH: The anti-drug campaign initiated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has faced severe criticism and is perceived as a mere eyewash in light of recent allegations against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal. The campaign, launched under the banner of 'Nasha Mukti Yatra, ' was intended to curb the rampant drug menace in Punjab. However, the very foundation of the initiative has been questioned due to Kejriwal's alleged involvement in a drug-related case in Delhi.
The opposition parties in Punjab have raised questions on the authenticity of the 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' campaing launched by CM Bhagwant Mann. The PPCC president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has described the Nasha Mukti campagin an untimely and insensitive move by CM Bhagwant Mann at a time when 27 persons had died by consuming spurious liquor in Amritsar district.
Allegations Against Kejriwal
Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing, Ravneet Singh Bittu, has openly criticized Kejriwal for spearheading the anti-drug campaign in Punjab while being named as an accused in a drug-related case in Delhi, as per the Enforcement Directorate. The case, involving the Delhi drug mafia, has raised questions about Kejriwal’s credibility in leading a campaign against drug abuse in Punjab.
AAP's Failed Campaign in Punjab
The AAP government in Punjab, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, had promised to eradicate drug abuse and drug trafficking in the state. However, the recent deaths of 27 people due to consumption of spurious liquor allegedly manufactured under the patronage of AAP leaders have exposed the murky nexus between political figures and illicit liquor and drug rackets.
Bittu accused the Punjab CM of surrendering his authority to the liquor mafia controlled by Delhi-based AAP leaders, stating that Kejriwal's involvement in the Delhi drug mafia case disqualifies him from leading a credible anti-drug initiative in Punjab. The minister emphasized that Punjab’s drug problem cannot be tackled with hollow slogans and superficial oaths, especially when AAP leaders are allegedly involved in the very drug networks they claim to dismantle.
Role of Bhagwant Mann in the Failure of Anti-Drug Campaign
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has come under fire for his alleged inaction and lack of decisive leadership in combating the drug menace in Punjab. Critics argue that Mann has failed to assert his authority over the drug mafia operating within the state, effectively allowing illegal networks to thrive under the patronage of influential political figures. Under his administration, the Punjab Police has been accused of selective enforcement, with several reports suggesting that known drug traffickers with political connections are not being apprehended.
Additionally, Mann’s perceived dependence on AAP leadership in Delhi, particularly Arvind Kejriwal, has led to speculation that he is not fully in control of the state’s anti-drug policy. This has further weakened the credibility of the campaign, as Mann is seen as being overshadowed by external influences, thus undermining his ability to take strong, independent action against drug cartels. His government’s failure to curb the production and distribution of spurious liquor, which recently resulted in 27 deaths, is cited as a glaring example of administrative incompetence and political negligence.
Impact on Punjab's Anti-Drug Efforts
The credibility of AAP's anti-drug campaign in Punjab has been further eroded by the growing public perception that AAP leaders are shielding drug mafia operatives rather than acting against them. MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, a prominent AAP leader from Amritsar, has himself accused the party leadership of sheltering criminals and drug smugglers. This internal dissent highlights the extent of disillusionment among party members over the state government’s failure to act decisively against the drug menace.
Conclusion
The AAP government's anti-drug campaign in Punjab appears to be a failed exercise as allegations of Kejriwal's involvement in a drug case in Delhi have severely dented the credibility of the initiative. Without genuine political will and a decisive crackdown on the drug mafia, Punjab's youth will continue to fall prey to the scourge of drugs, while those in power pay lip service to the cause.