Governments Are Only Defaming Punjab in the Name of Drugs; Punjab’s Youth Should Take This as a Challenge : Ravi Inder Singh

Governments Are Only Defaming Punjab in the Name of Drugs; Punjab’s Youth Should Take This as a Challenge : Ravi Inder Singh

Chandigarh 30 September ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Sikh political scholar, former Speaker, and Patron of the Shiromani Akali Dal Puran-Surjit, Ravi Inder Singh, in a written press statement, alleged that in the matter of drugs, the Central and Punjab governments are treating Punjab like a football, trying to score political goals against each other. However, their political objectives clearly reflect how little seriousness they have shown towards eliminating the drug menace. He said that the Central Government, which controls the 50-kilometre border belt, has failed badly to prevent drugs being smuggled through drones from neighbouring countries and is now holding rallies to make Punjab drug-free. At the same time, the Punjab Government’s campaign against drugs has also failed to show any tangible impact on the ground or demonstrate that drug abuse has been eliminated. In such circumstances, he said, the efforts of both governments appear to be limited to defaming the youth of Punjab by portraying them as drug addicts.

Ravi Inder Singh said that the youth of Punjab are among the most politically aware young people in the country and understand very well the political tactics being used by political leaders. He said that young people have made efforts at their own level to prevent drug abuse and have openly questioned the failures of governments. In some cases, he added, they have even faced alleged torture as a consequence. Despite this, the enthusiastic youth of Punjab continue to come forward whenever the state faces a crisis. He cited the recent incident of violence, looting and arson at a private university in Jalandhar, where Amritdhari youth associated with the United Sikh Students Federation came forward to help manage the situation and guided students on democratic methods of protest. Similarly, he said, Sikh students at Panjab University have firmly opposed what he described as attempts at saffronisation. Despite this, he alleged, both governments are jointly creating an impression as though all the youth of Punjab are addicted to drugs.

He said political leaders should understand their responsibility and remember that people elected them to govern the state, not to hold rallies and continue blaming each other. They should use the authority entrusted to them properly and provide justice to those affected. He said that it is the responsibility of the governments to stop the flow of drugs that are entering Punjab from outside the state. Ravi Inder Singh also appealed to the youth to take the governments’ blame game as a challenge and become even better organised to contribute to social welfare. He said that the youth have many responsibilities and areas where they can contribute.

He further said that just as there has been a decline in governance and administrative affairs, institutions such as the SGPC are also, in his view, facing serious shortcomings in principles and management. He called upon the youth to come forward to bring improvements in these areas as well. He said that removing the stigma of drugs from Punjab will require the courage, determination and active participation of the state’s youth.