Making Punjab drug-free is AAP Govt’s mission, and we will achieve it with people’s support: Arvind Kejriwal

To make Punjab drug-free, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal addressed party ‘karyakartas’, boosting their morale and reaffirming the government’s commitment to eliminating drugs. He emphasized that the government’s stance is clear—drug traffickers must either leave Punjab or stop selling drugs. Making Punjab drug-free is a mission that will be accomplished with the people’s support.

A massive anti-drug campaign will begin on May 1. As part of this, Arvind Kejriwal, along with ministers, MLAs, and officials, will personally visit villages to spread awareness. Before this, on April 2, students from schools and colleges in Ludhiana will march and take a pledge to fight drug abuse. Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and other party leaders were also present at the event.

During the Karyakarta Samvaad, AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Today, we have all gathered for a mission.” That mission, he declared, was to eradicate drug abuse from Punjab. He expressed confidence, saying, “If every leader sitting in this hall resolves to eliminate drugs from Punjab, no force on earth can stop it. No power can stand in our way.”

Reflecting on the situation over the past month, Arvind Kejriwal highlighted the unprecedented crackdown on the drug trade under the AAP Government. He said, “India has been independent for 75 years, but never in these 75 years has the country witnessed what has happened in Punjab in the past month.”

He acknowledged that drug abuse was not unique to Punjab, mentioning that states like Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi also grapple with the menace. However, he asserted that what the Punjab Government had accomplished in just one month had never been done before.

He detailed the government’s aggressive action, stating, “Thousands of drug smugglers have been arrested in the past month. Even the most feared kingpins—whose very names made people tremble—have been caught. Their houses are being demolished with bulldozers. Huge quantities of heroin, chitta, and other drugs are being seized. Their wealth is being confiscated. The money they made by selling drugs and sending it to Pakistan through hawala is being seized, and the hawala operators are being arrested. Police have been given liberties to shoot those who mess with them.” He warned drug dealers, “The message is loud and clear—either stop selling drugs, leave Punjab, or you won’t survive.”

The AAP Chief reminded everyone of Punjab’s glorious past before drugs took hold. “Was Punjab always like this? No. Punjab was once known for its bhangra, its spirit. It was the number one state in per capita income. Today, it has fallen to the 18th position. Fifteen or twenty years ago, Punjab was free from drugs.”

Arvind Kejriwal questioned, “Who brought drugs to Punjab? Everyone knows the answer—I don’t need to say it. Under their government, with the protection of Punjab Police, drugs were supplied to every corner of the state. Their ministers were involved in drug trade. International smugglers stayed in their homes. The entire Punjab knows who brought drugs to Punjab.”

He further slammed previous governments, saying, “For money, for power, they sold the youth of Punjab. They destroyed an entire generation. Should such people be forgiven?” The crowd responded with a resounding “No.” He continued, “Should strict action be taken against them?” The people roared, “Yes” He declared, “No one will be spared. Those who brought drugs to Punjab, those who ruined the youth—they will not be spared under any circumstance. They will be punished in this lifetime.”

He criticised the past government, saying, “After them, another government came. They swore falsely on Gutka Sahib (a praying book) before the people of Punjab. They said, ‘Make me the Chief Minister, and I will eliminate drugs in four weeks.’ Five years went by, and they didn’t even show their faces after getting elected.”

Arvind Kejriwal highlighted AAP’s governance, stating, “Today, Punjab has an Aam Aadmi Party government—an honest government, a patriotic government. We are not afraid of anyone. We cannot be bought. The Aam Aadmi Party is not for sale.”

He asserted that strict action is being taken against drug traffickers, adding, “This is not just a political party—it is a band of patriots. A party that idolises Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb Ambedkar. CM Bhagwant Mann and I have their portraits in our office and home. In Delhi, we put up their portraits in every office. But as soon as the government came, the first thing they did was remove those portraits.”

The AAP National Convenor stressed the importance of public participation in the fight against drugs, saying, “The work done in the last month has never happened in the last 70 years. But now, this must become a people’s movement. Everything done in the last month was done by Punjab Police. But, until all three crore people of Punjab stand up against drugs, they won’t be eradicated. We must take this fight to every household, every village, every street, every neighbourhood.”

Giving a clarion call to the people, Arvind Kejriwal urged, “If a single drug dealer dares to enter your village, do not let them sell drugs. Not at any cost.” He reassured the public, saying, “Do not be afraid. The police are with you. The administration is with you. The entire system stands with you. Drugs will not be allowed in Punjab any longer.”

The AAP National Convenor gave a strong call to action against drugs in Punjab, urging local leaders to take charge. Addressing the gathering, he said, “Every block president present here today must return to their villages. If you oversee ten villages, then visit each one, gather the people, and declare—drugs will not be sold here under any circumstances.”

He recalled his recent visit to Punjab, saying, “Ten days ago, I announced that from April 1, we would start visiting every village. I will personally visit villages. Bhagwant Mann will go. Every MLA will go. Every minister, every Deputy Commissioner, every SDM, every SSP, every SP, and every DSP will go. Officers will be sent. Ministers will go. MLAs will go.”

However, acknowledging the ongoing harvesting season, he explained, “Farmers are busy taking their produce to the mandis. If we go to the villages now, we won’t find anyone there. So, we are postponing this action for one month until the harvest season ends.”

Despite this delay in rural areas, Arvind Kejriwal announced that the campaign would begin in urban centres immediately. He declared, “From tomorrow, we will take out padyatras in cities. In Ludhiana, we will march with school and college students. These young people will take a pledge—not to consume drugs and not to let others sell drugs.”

He urged the block presidents to continue their efforts in villages. “On May 1, we will all go to the villages. But until then, every block president must visit their ten villages and mobilise people against drugs. Every village has a Village Defence Committee set up by the government to fight drugs. Whenever you find time, gather the villagers and make it clear—no drug trafficker will be allowed to operate here anymore.”

The AAP Chief also emphasised the need to help those struggling with addiction. “We must pull our children out of addiction. To achieve this, we have already started constructing playgrounds across Punjab. In the next one to two months, every village—big or small—will have a playground. Encourage children to play, to stay active.”

He highlighted the power of personal stories in this fight. “In every village, you will find five or ten young people who once consumed drugs but have now quit. Bring them forward, let them share their stories. Let them inspire others—‘We were addicts once, but we overcame it. You can, too.’”

Arvind Kejriwal continued, “Starting tomorrow, your work must begin. After a month, once the farmers are done with their harvesting, I will personally go from village to village. I will spend as much time as possible because there is no greater act of righteousness, no greater service, than freeing Punjab from the grip of drugs.”

Calling for a collective commitment, Arvind Kejriwal led the gathering in taking a solemn oath. He asked everyone to stand and repeat after him:

“I am a true son of Punjab’s sacred soil. I am an honest worker of the Aam Aadmi Party. Today, I swear upon Punjab’s land that I will never consume drugs. I will do everything in my power to keep my friends, family, and society away from drugs. Wherever I see drugs being sold, I will report it to the police. I will not fear, for God is with me in this fight. I will choose education over drugs. I will choose progress over destruction. I will choose revolution over silence. As a true soldier of the Aam Aadmi Party, I pledge that I will not rest until Punjab is free from drugs.”

In three years, the AAP Government achieved more in education, healthcare, and electricity than in 75 Years: Manish Sisodia

Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab in-charge, Manish Sisodia, stated, “For the past 8-10 days, I have been meeting 50-100 people daily, working for the organization and the government. I am proud that this team is not just Punjab’s but belongs to the whole of India. Over the past ten days, I have met ministers, MLAs, and karyakartas. It is the strength of the Aam Aadmi Party that people are happy that, within just one and a half months, a campaign against drugs has been launched. I assure you that not a single day of yours will go to waste. The drug trade and its traffickers will be destroyed. The government is fully prepared.”

He further stated, “In three years, Punjab has achieved in education, healthcare, and electricity what had not been accomplished in 75 years. The Punjab government’s budget presents a long-term vision—there will be playgrounds in every village, clean ponds, and well-maintained roads.”

Manish Sisodia stated, “This is the dream of Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann. Every karyakarta has a responsibility to carry forward the campaign against drugs and to keep an eye on the work related to ponds, roads, and cleanliness. Money should not be wasted. This is not just the responsibility of the ministers but of everyone. I am proud to be a part of this party. The hard work of 10-12 years on the land of our Gurus and Shaheed Bhagat Singh will not go in vain. Punjab will change, and the country will change.”

Drug traffickers can no longer celebrate in their three-story mansions while families mourn: Bhagwant Mann

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “Under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, who has ushered in a new chapter in the country’s politics, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has brought about a revolution. Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain transformed education and healthcare, launched Mohalla Clinics, and saved millions of lives. The Aam Aadmi Party government has provided free electricity and shut down 18 toll plazas, saving ₹62-63 lakh daily.”

He further stated, “The Aam Aadmi Party government has waged a war against drugs to make Punjab drug-free. We have taken strict action against drug traffickers. Now, drug traffickers can no longer spread a white sheet in mourning at someone’s home while celebrating with grand illuminations on their three-story mansions. To curb drug trafficking, we have also launched a WhatsApp helpline where anyone can report drug dealers. The identity of informants will be kept confidential.”

He added, “Today, I handed over appointment letters for 700 government jobs. The total number of government jobs provided has now reached 54,000. An additional 2,000 teachers will be given appointment letters soon. Earlier, other political parties used to claim that the treasury was empty, but the truth is that the treasury was never empty—it was their intentions that were lacking.”