Expressing concern over the message being sent to citizens, Dhaliwal said that standing alongside such leaders gives moral support to those responsible for harming Punjab’s youth.
AAP Punjab chief spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Tuesday questioned the anti-drug yatra started by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, saying it sends a confusing and worrying message at a time when the state government is already running a strong campaign against drugs.
Speaking at a press conference, Dhaliwal said the AAP-led Punjab government has been regularly conducting anti-drug yatras and awareness drives across the state as part of a continuous ground-level campaign. He said these efforts are not symbolic events but part of a larger and ongoing fight to control and eliminate drug abuse from Punjab.
Dhaliwal said it is surprising that the Governor has launched a separate yatra despite the government’s active drive. He claimed that the Governor’s move appears to come at a time when the government’s anti-drug actions are showing results. He added that both the way the yatra is being conducted and the people associated with it raise important questions.
He clarified that the AAP does not oppose any honest initiative taken to fight drugs. According to him, every citizen, group, and institution should contribute to the anti-drug mission. However, he strongly criticised the Governor for sharing the platform with leaders whom he accused of being linked to the period when drug problems increased in the state.
Raising objections about the leaders seen in the yatra, Dhaliwal said that the presence of Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and BJP leader Ashwani Sharma weakens the credibility of the campaign. He said a yatra that includes such political figures cannot seriously claim to be focused on ending the drug menace. Instead, he described it as an event that looks more political than reform-driven.
Dhaliwal said the Governor should have reviewed Punjab’s recent history before starting such a campaign. He alleged that between 2007 and 2017, when previous governments were in power, drug abuse spread widely in the state. He said the same political forces are now appearing in anti-drug events, which raises doubts among the public.
He further said that people of Punjab are questioning how leaders who were in power during the rise of drug problems are now presenting themselves as part of the solution. According to Dhaliwal, this creates confusion and reduces public trust in such campaigns.
Expressing concern over the message being sent to citizens, Dhaliwal said that standing alongside such leaders gives moral support to those responsible for harming Punjab’s youth. He added that this sends the wrong signal at a time when the state needs unity and a clear stand against drugs.
The AAP leader maintained that the government will continue its anti-drug drive and said the focus will remain on strict action, awareness campaigns, and community participation to tackle the drug problem across Punjab.
