Drugs passed via BJP-ruled states: Mann hits back at Amit Shah's Punjab criticism

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday launched a sharp attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his allegations that the drug trade was flourishing in Punjab under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, asking him to examine the BJP’s own record in tackling narcotics trafficking.

Mann cited major drug seizures at Gujarat’s Kandla port and questioned how narcotics continued to enter the country through states governed by the BJP.

Responding to Shah’s remarks on the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, Mann argued that the Centre must take responsibility for preventing drug smuggling rather than holding the state government solely accountable.

He also questioned the effectiveness of the Border Security Force’s (BSF) jurisdiction along the international border and pointed to the movement of drugs through neighbouring states.

"BSF has jurisdiction of 50 km from borders. We have confiscated drugs as massive as 3,000 kg from Kandla port. Who has been in power for all these years in Gujarat? It’s the BJP. It comes via Rajasthan and Haryana, and who is in power there? It’s again the BJP. But they curse us," Mann said while addressing the media.

He also invoked the previous Akali Dal-BJP government in Punjab, which was in power from 2007 to 2017, alleging that the BJP had supported the Shiromani Akali Dal despite the drug menace in the state.

"At that time, Bikram Singh Majithia used to transport drugs in his red-beaconed cars. Who supported them? The BJP. They came to power in the Centre in 2014, and they continued support to the SAD. So, I think Amit Shah should first see the BJP’s contribution to this menace before pointing a finger at AAP," Mann added.

AMIT SHAH ATTACKED MANN GOVT

The exchange followed Amit Shah’s post on X, in which the Union Home Minister accused the AAP government of failing to curb drugs, gangsterism and organised crime in Punjab.

He questioned who would take responsibility for the safety of the state’s residents and said the Ministry of Home Affairs would seek explanations from the Punjab government over two incidents.

Shah referred to the death of Gulzar Singh, a resident of Dirba in Sangrur district, who allegedly died by suicide after consuming poison on September 7. His family had alleged that he was harassed after questioning Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the drug supply in his locality.

The Home Minister also cited the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead in a busy market in Mansa on Tuesday.

Jhota had reportedly confronted a medical store owner over the alleged sale of addictive drugs. The accused, Ashwani Kumar, was subsequently arrested.

"The biggest question before the Bhagwant Mann government is: ultimately, who will bear the responsibility for the safety of Punjab's people?" Shah said, adding that the incidents raised serious questions about the state’s law and order situation.

He also noted that Jhota’s father had levelled allegations against the AAP government and a party MLA.

Shah demanded decisive action against drug networks and an impartial investigation into any alleged political patronage extended to criminals.

He reiterated the BJP’s promise to make Punjab drug-free and free from gangsterism if the party came to power in the state.

"Bhagwant Mann ji, the people of Punjab do not want promises—they want answers; not announcements, but results; decisive strikes against drug networks; and an impartial investigation into any political patronage received by criminals," Shah said.

Jhota’s father, Bhim Singh, has demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police, along with a CBI probe into the killing.

The alleged main shooter was arrested in Rajasthan in a joint operation by the Punjab and Rajasthan Police.

With Punjab heading towards Assembly elections early next year, the drug menace has emerged as a major political flashpoint.

The Centre’s proposed response-seeking exercise and the investigation into the two incidents are likely to intensify the political confrontation between the BJP and the AAP government.

- Ends

With agency inputs