Drug War Clash: Bhagwant Mann Slams Amit Shah for 'Politicizing' Punjab Crisis
CM Bhagwant Mann accuses Amit Shah of politicizing Punjab's drug issue for electoral gains while challenging the Centre's border security.
The political temperature in Punjab has soared as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the central government of weaponizing the state's drug crisis for political leverage ahead of upcoming elections. The clash comes amidst a high-profile visit by the Home Minister to the border state, turning a public health tragedy into a fierce battlefield of blame.
The Battle of Blame: Past vs. Present
CM Bhagwant Mann did not hold back in his critique, questioning the motives behind the Union Home Minister's sudden focus on the region. Mann pointedly asked why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remained silent or inactive during its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal between 2007 and 2017. He argued that it was during this decade-long partnership that drug abuse in Punjab escalated significantly, suggesting that the current outcry from the Centre is opportunistic rather than sincere.
Mann further challenged the Centre's accountability, highlighting that the flow of illicit narcotics often enters through the India-Pakistan border and various commercial ports—areas that fall under the jurisdiction of central security agencies. He accused the BJP of attempting to malign Punjab's reputation solely to gain an electoral advantage.
Amit Shah's Ultimatum and Allegations
The confrontation follows a visit by Amit Shah, during which the Home Minister met with the families of victims of the drug menace. Shah expressed grave concerns that the actual scale of the narcotics crisis is far worse than what is being officially reported by the state government.
In a bold move, the Union Home Minister set a strict deadline of December 31, 2029, to make Punjab completely nasha-mukt (drug-free), aiming for the total eradication of illicit narcotics networks.
Criticism of AAP's Governance
Amit Shah took a direct swipe at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration, claiming that the state government lacks the capacity to effectively investigate narcotics cases. He specifically criticized the failure to hold state-level Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) meetings, suggesting a lack of administrative will and coordination in tackling the plague of drugs.
Tragedies Triggering the Tension
The current political firestorm is fueled by a series of heartbreaking incidents that have drawn national attention. The deaths of Vikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur and Gulzar Singh in Sangrur prompted the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to demand detailed reports from the Punjab government.
In a bid to address public outcry and satisfy the demands of the grieving family, CM Bhagwant Mann announced a significant step: the investigation into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
"The attempt to use the drug issue for political gain is transparent," the Punjab administration's stance suggests, as the state continues to grapple with the complex intersection of border security and public health.