India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the drug menace in Punjab, asking why stronger action was not taken when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal were in power together in the state between 2007 and 2017.
Mann’s remarks came amid a renewed political debate over drug trafficking, following Amit Shah’s visit to Punjab, during which the Union Home Minister met the families of people reportedly killed after raising their voices against the drug menace.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding inaction on the drug menace during the 2007-2017 BJP-SAD rule, highlighting smuggling routes, prompting Shah’s pledge for a drug-free Punjab by 2029.
“Today, there is talk of saving Punjab from drugs for electoral gains. But when you were in power with the Akali Dal from 2007 to 2017, why was no action taken?” Bhagwant Mann said.
ਅਹਿਮ ਮੁੱਦੇ ’ਤੇ ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਤੋਂ LIVE —— अहम मुद्दे पर चंडीगढ़ से LIVE https://t.co/7Re7uLfACE
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) October 20, 2026
The Punjab Chief Minister also raised questions about the wider drug supply chain, including large consignments seized at Gujarat’s ports, the alleged use of drones to smuggle narcotics across the international border and suspected links between criminal gangs operating outside Punjab and networks active in the state.
His questions brought the focus to the movement of drugs into Punjab and the responsibilities of authorities in preventing trafficking. Mann’s remarks also challenged the political narrative surrounding the drug crisis by referring to the record of previous administrations.
Bhagwant Mann Raises Questions on Drug Trafficking
The Punjab Chief Minister’s intervention comes as the state’s drug problem remains a major political and public concern. By highlighting alleged smuggling routes and criminal networks, Mann questioned whether the issue was being addressed comprehensively beyond political statements.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met the families of people killed in Mansa and Gurdaspur after raising concerns about drugs. He also met the family of Gulzar Singh, who allegedly died by suicide after his complaints about drug sales went unaddressed. His son had reportedly become addicted to drugs.
Shah said the families’ experiences had deeply affected him and pledged that Punjab would be drug-free by December 2029.
