BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ Concludes in Jalandhar, Amit Shah Sets 2029 Target for Drug-Free Punjab
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s 13-day ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ concluded in Jalandhar on September 30 with a major rally addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Launched from Pathankot on September 18, the campaign travelled across Punjab through four separate routes, covering nearly 4,000 kilometres and all 117 Assembly constituencies. The initiative was organised under the slogan “Bhajpa da Naara, Nasha Mukauna Saara”, with the objective of turning the fight against drug abuse into a wider public movement.
The campaign brought the issue of drug abuse directly to communities across the state, with BJP leaders and workers conducting outreach programmes during the 13-day journey. According to reports, the initiative also focused on related concerns including crime, law and order and the need for greater community participation in tackling addiction.
Four Yatras Cover Punjab From Different Regions
The statewide campaign was conducted through four yatras launched from different parts of Punjab. The first was flagged off from Madhopur in Pathankot by BJP national president Nitin Nabin on September 18. Subsequent phases began from Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka and Talwandi Sabo, allowing the campaign to reach different regions before converging in Jalandhar.
The scale of the campaign was intended to ensure that the anti-drug message reached people across the state rather than remaining limited to major cities. Akashvani reported that the initiative sought to mobilise people from all 117 constituencies and encourage wider public participation in efforts against drug abuse.
Families Affected by Drug Abuse Share Their Experiences
The human impact of drug addiction remained an important part of the campaign. During the yatra, families who had lost relatives to drug abuse shared their experiences, drawing attention to the financial, emotional and social consequences faced by affected households. The issue has therefore been presented not only as a law-enforcement challenge but also as a matter involving families, youth and communities.
Before addressing the concluding rally, Amit Shah met families affected by drug abuse in Jalandhar. The interaction highlighted the personal stories behind the wider debate over drug trafficking and addiction in Punjab.
Amit Shah Announces December 2029 Deadline
At the concluding rally in Jalandhar, Amit Shah announced that, if the BJP forms the government in Punjab, it would seek to eliminate the trade in ‘chitta’, a commonly used term for synthetic drugs, by December 31, 2029. He also said that making Punjab drug-free would be the central issue for the BJP in the 2027 Assembly elections.
Shah appealed particularly to Punjab’s youth and mothers, presenting the proposed deadline as a long-term commitment to tackling the drug trade. His address also linked the campaign to stronger action against those involved in drug trafficking and the wider effort to protect young people from addiction.
Focus on Awareness, Enforcement and Rehabilitation
The anti-drug campaign has highlighted the need for a broad approach to the problem. While action against trafficking networks remains important, sustained progress also requires prevention, rehabilitation and awareness among young people. Community organisations, families and educational institutions can also play a role in identifying problems early and supporting people seeking to overcome addiction.
The BJP’s campaign has therefore sought to combine public mobilisation with a message of stronger action against the drug trade. The emphasis on families affected by addiction has also brought attention to the need for support systems alongside enforcement measures.
Drug-Free Punjab Becomes a Major Election Issue
The conclusion of the yatra comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, placing the issue of drugs prominently in the state’s political discussion. The BJP has indicated that drug eradication will form a central part of its electoral agenda, while other political parties have also been debating the effectiveness of different approaches to prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation.
The campaign’s statewide reach has given the drug issue renewed visibility, particularly through its engagement with communities and families directly affected by addiction. The coming years will show how the various commitments and proposed measures translate into sustained action on the ground.
The MGMM Outlook
The ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ has brought the issue of drug abuse into sharper public focus after travelling nearly 4,000 kilometres across all 117 Assembly constituencies. The campaign’s statewide outreach, interactions with families affected by addiction and emphasis on disrupting drug networks have highlighted that tackling the problem requires sustained attention from communities as well as authorities. Amit Shah’s announcement of a December 31, 2029 target for eliminating the trade in ‘chitta’, if the BJP forms the government in Punjab, has also placed a specific long-term objective at the centre of the campaign.
The larger challenge extends beyond enforcement and requires continued efforts in prevention, awareness, rehabilitation and support for families affected by addiction. The participation of communities, parents, educational institutions and young people can strengthen efforts to prevent substance abuse and encourage recovery. With the anti-drug issue expected to remain prominent in Punjab’s public and political discussion, translating campaign commitments into sustained action against trafficking while expanding support for those affected by addiction will remain important in the years ahead.
(Sources: Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, The New Indian Express)
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