BJP Was In Partner In Power When ‘Chitta’ Emerged & Spread Across Punjab, Why Did It Not Undertake Any Yatra Then? Baltej Pannu
Why Was ED Investigation Stalled When Names Were Emerging & Officer Niranjan Singh Transferred? Baltej Pannu
BJP Is Selectively Running Campaign To Defame Punjab While Remaining Silent On Drug-Affected Districts In Its Own States: Baltej Pannu
Don’t Defame Punjab, BJP Must Tell People What It's Doing About Drugs In Neighbouring Haryana, One Of Most Drug-Affected States: Baltej Pannu
All Sensitive Districts Of Punjab Are Border Districts Under BSF; BJP Must Answer What It Is Doing To Stop Drugs: Baltej Pannu
Punjab Youth Are Choosing Sports Over Drugs; More Than 25,000 Participated In Bathinda Youth Run: Baltej Pannu
Punjab Has Built 3,100 Sports Grounds, With Around 750 Already Dedicated To People: Baltej Pannu
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge and Nasha Mukti Morcha Chief Spokesperson Baltej Pannu on Thursday hit out at the BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, calling it political nautanki and questioning the party’s silence when it was a partner in power in Punjab during 2007-17, the period when ‘chitta’ emerged and spread across the state. Pannu questioned why the BJP failed to undertake any anti-drug campaign then, why the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation was stalled when names were emerging and officer Niranjan Singh was transferred, and why the BJP is now selectively targeting Punjab while remaining silent on drug-affected states, including neighbouring Haryana.
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge said all sensitive districts of Punjab are border districts under the Border Security Force (BSF) and the BJP must explain what it is doing to stop drugs from entering the state, instead of using the issue to defame Punjab. Pannu said the reality on the ground is reflected in Punjab’s growing sporting culture, with more than 25,000 youth participating in the Bathinda run and 3,100 sports grounds built across the state, around 750 of which have already been dedicated to the people.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge and Nasha Mukti Morcha Chief Spokesperson Baltej Pannu said, “Every effort against drugs is welcome, but the BJP must first answer for its own record. The BJP was a partner in the Punjab Government from 2007 to 2017, precisely during the period when the menace of ‘chitta’ emerged and spread across Punjab. Today, the same BJP is undertaking a ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’. Why did the BJP not undertake any yatra, campaign or sustained pressure against drugs when it was itself in the government?”
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge stated, “During the 2007-17 period, reports emerged about drugs being transported in vehicles associated with the government. An Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into the drug network was initiated by officer Niranjan Singh.”
He questioned, “Why was the investigation stalled when names were emerging in the probe? Why was officer Niranjan Singh transferred? The BJP was also in power at the Centre from 2014 to 2017. It must answer why the investigation did not reach its logical conclusion.”
Baltej Pannu asserted, “The impact of the drug crisis during that period was devastating. Young people were dying from overdoses, which were often described publicly as ‘silent heart attacks’. The situation had reached a stage where even de-addiction facilities for women had to be opened during the Akali-BJP government. Where was the BJP’s concern for Punjab’s youth at that time? Where was its ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ then?”
“The BJP is now selectively highlighting Punjab while remaining silent about drug-affected districts in BJP-ruled states. The recent NCB report mentions 73 ultra-sensitive districts, of which six are in Punjab. Several other districts mentioned in the report are located in other states, but the BJP continues to focus its political narrative only on Punjab. Why this selective approach?” said Baltej Pannu.
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge, “If the BJP is genuinely concerned about drugs, it should address the entire national drug problem instead of using the issue to defame Punjab. Why is the BJP silent about the drug situation in states where it is in power? Why is Punjab being selectively targeted?”
He pointed out, “All the sensitive districts of Punjab being highlighted in this context are border districts. These districts fall under the Border Security Force (BSF), which is directly under the Central Government. The BJP must answer what it is doing to stop drugs from entering Punjab across the border. Instead of organising political yatras, why does the BJP not explain what steps the Central Government and BSF are taking to stop cross-border drug smuggling?”
“After coming to power in 2022, the AAP government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann launched the systematic ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’. Punjab Police has been taking sustained action against the drug network and the Punjab Government has been working with the BSF to curb drug smuggling, particularly across the border. Punjab has also deployed its own anti-drone system and taken sustained action against the drug network,” said Baltej Pannu.
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge affirmed, “The Bhagwant Mann government is fighting the drug menace on the ground. The BJP should compare this sustained action with what happened between 2007 and 2017, when it was itself a partner in the Punjab Government. Political yatras cannot substitute for concrete action against drugs.”
He pointed out, “The real change in Punjab is also visible in the way its youth are increasingly turning towards sports. More than 25,000 young people participated in the recent youth run in Bathinda. The response to these events is growing and the upcoming events are expected to attract even larger participation.”
Baltej Pannu asserted, “The Bhagwant Mann Government has built 3,100 sports grounds, with around 750 already dedicated to the people. These grounds are creating opportunities for children, youth and multiple generations to participate in sports. Every evening, children and young people can be seen playing in village and town grounds across Punjab.”
“The BJP repeatedly tries to portray Punjab as a ‘state of drug addicts’, but Punjab’s sporting achievements directly challenge this narrative. Punjab is a state of sporting talent. Children are playing in village grounds, young people are participating in runs and athletes from Punjab are representing the country at the highest level,” said Baltej Pannu.
The AAP Punjab Media In-charge stated, “Punjab has nine players in the Indian hockey team, including players from the very border districts that are repeatedly highlighted in negative narratives about drugs. Punjab also has representation in India’s national cricket teams. These achievements show the sporting strength and talent of Punjab’s youth.”
He affirmed, “The people of Punjab have already rejected the stigma attached to the state and are moving towards sports and a healthier future. The BJP should first answer what it did between 2007 and 2017, when it was a partner in the government, before undertaking political campaigns against drugs today.”
“Punjab welcomes every genuine effort against drugs, but the BJP must stop using the issue to politically target and defame Punjab. The Mann Government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign will continue until the drug menace is eliminated and Punjab is restored as a vibrant, progressive and sporting state,” said Baltej Pannu.
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