The drug menace in Punjab is once again taking center stage as a major political and social issue, with the Bharatiya Janata Party preparing to take to the streets in protest. The party is officially launching a comprehensive statewide campaign titled the 'Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra', scheduled to run from September 18 through September 30. Through this intensive outreach program, the party intends to highlight the alarming scale of substance abuse across the state while simultaneously intensifying its political attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government. Organizers emphasize that the campaign is designed to transcend routine political debates, aiming instead to transform into a massive public movement that engages citizens from all walks of life.
Starting in Pathankot and Concluding in Jalandhar
The anti-drug march is scheduled to kick off from Pathankot, traversing various regions before culminating in a grand finale in Jalandhar. Bharatiya Janata Party National President Nitin Nabin is slated to flag off the yatra to mark its official commencement. Spanning approximately 13 days, the itinerary includes a series of 5 major rallies across the state. Through these coordinated public gatherings and outreach efforts, the party has set an ambitious target of connecting directly with roughly 3 crore residents of Punjab to raise awareness and rally support against the crisis.
High-Profile Presence and Release of a Chargesheet
The concluding day of the yatra in Jalandhar is planned to feature a massive public rally, with indications that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the event. By bringing high-profile leadership to the final leg, the party aims to amplify the political pressure regarding the handling of the drug issue in the state. Furthermore, during the course of the 13-day journey, organizers will distribute a special chargesheet among the public. This document will outline pointed questions and allegations against the state administration, focusing heavily on what concrete measures have been implemented to curb the drug trade and what their actual impact has been on the ground.
Giving Voice to Affected Families and Grassroots Mobilization
A central pillar of the yatra is the inclusion of families who have personally suffered the devastating consequences of substance abuse. The party plans to provide a platform for these affected relatives to share their stories, bringing the human cost of the crisis directly to the public consciousness. Additionally, the campaign will actively collaborate with non-governmental organizations, youth and sports clubs, rehabilitation centers, and local village-level committees. Participants and local residents will also be encouraged to sign formal anti-drug pledges and resolve to eradicate the menace from their communities.
Diverse Activities and Tribute at Bhagat Singh's Village
Rather than relying solely on conventional public meetings, the itinerary incorporates a wide variety of public engagement tools. The events will feature motorcycle rallies, foot marches, women empowerment programs, and localized gatherings alongside targeted activities centered around rehabilitation centers. The outreach is intended to penetrate deep into rural and urban pockets alike. As part of the schedule, a high-level party delegation will visit the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh to pay floral tributes, linking the current fight for the youth with the patriotic ideals of the legendary freedom fighter. The official logo for the entire campaign is scheduled to be unveiled on September 11, after which the party's promotional activities and ground mobilization are expected to intensify significantly.
