Drug abuse is a threat to ‘Punjab identity’, says BJP president

BJP National President Nitin Nabin, second right, BJP Punjab President Kewal Singh Dhillon, second left, and others during the inauguration of the ‘Drug-Free Punjab Journey’ in Pathankot. Photo Credit: X/NitinNabin via PTI

With Punjab elections in 2027, the BJP has sought to focus attention on the drug menace in the state and on Friday launched its 13-day state-wide ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatras’ campaign to highlight the problem of substance abuse.

Flagging off the first ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ from Pathankot, BJP National President Nitin Nabin asserted that drugs should not define the identity of Punjab and said there is an urgent need for a decisive fight against drugs by turning the fight into a people’s movement.

“People are looking for an uprising of Punjab, not Udta Punjab, the time has come for a decisive fight against those who, using the power of their offices, have promoted corruption and worsened the law and order situation, destroyed Punjab with drugs,” he said while addressing a rally.

Mr Nabin said the BJP’s main anti-drug strategy would include targeting drug peddlers, breaking up the supply network, confiscating proceeds, rehabilitating people affected by addiction and continuing the campaign with corporate support.

“Today is a very special day. I have come to connect with the pain experienced by households across Punjab. I have come from Patna, the land associated with Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, to convey the message of de-addiction to every Punjabi,” he said.

He kept his promises

Mr. Nabin said the BJP has always kept its promises. “We have undertaken a long struggle to fulfill our commitment to abrogate Article 370 and work to eliminate terrorism and Naxalism,” he stressed.

He said that on August 2, the BJP had decided to remove drugs from the country. “I have come with a message from PM Modi to start this campaign from the soil of Punjab. BJP’s results are fixed and we will also remove drugs,” he said.

“Drugs cannot become the identity of Punjab. The identity of the state should be its heritage, ideas and youth. He said that its identity was traditionally associated with gurus, the sweat of farmers and the spirit of sportsmen. According to him, the people of Punjab would lead the fight against drugs themselves,” he added.

Attacking the AAP government, Mr Nabin said, “People in power in the state have changed the identity of Punjab and are destroying its future generations.” He claimed that the Punjab government saw the war on drugs as a vehicle for political power and failed to understand the pain of the people.

He said the government wanted to silence people speaking against drugs, but warned that the government should know that the voices of Punjab cannot be silenced.

Mr Nabin said the ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatras’ would “connect people with anti-drug campaign, dialogue forums and social organisations”, he added.

The campaign will culminate in Jalandhar on September 30 after covering all 117 constituencies in Punjab.

Published – 18 Sep 2026 21:18 IST