Punjab BJP launches statewide anti-drug marches

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched the ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, a series of four statewide marches spanning approximately 4,000 km to address drug abuse in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The marches, which began on September 18, will cover all 117 Assembly constituencies and are expected to culminate in a major rally in Jalandhar on September 30, to be addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Key leaders, including BJP National President Nitin Nabin and various central ministers, are participating in the campaign. The initiative aims to raise public awareness and pressure the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government regarding its handling of the narcotics issue. In response, AAP spokesperson Baltej Pannu criticized the BJP, labeling the marches ‘political nautanki’ and questioning the opposition’s record during their previous tenure in the state government.

This political movement coincides with broader national efforts. The Ministry of Home Affairs has identified six districts in Punjab as ‘ultra-sensitive’ drug-affected areas. The central government has outlined a roadmap to achieve a ‘Drug-Free India’ by 2029, which includes dismantling major drug networks and synthetic drug laboratories.