New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Punjab on October 20 and meet families affected by drug abuse, Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu said on Sunday. According to Bittu, Shah will visit Sangrur, Batala and Mansa during his proposed tour of the state.
Bittu welcomed the reported visit in a post on X, highlighting Punjab’s drug problem and calling for stronger efforts to protect young people from substance abuse. He also appealed to people in the state to support the effort to make Punjab drug-free.
The visit comes amid an intensifying political debate over drug trafficking, organised crime and law and order in Punjab, with the BJP targeting the state’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over its handling of these issues.
Why Is Amit Shah’s Punjab Visit Significant?
The proposed visit follows Shah’s recent criticism of the Punjab government over drug-related incidents and the safety of people opposing the drug trade.
On October 16, Shah said the Union Home Ministry would seek responses from the state government over the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa and a separate case involving a man who allegedly died by suicide in Dirba, Sangrur. The Centre’s intervention has added to the political exchange between the BJP and the AAP government over responsibility for tackling the drug menace.
Bittu said Shah’s proposed meetings with affected families would bring attention to the difficulties faced by people dealing with the consequences of substance abuse. However, the detailed schedule and arrangements for the October 20 visit were not specified in the announcement.
Ravneet Bittu Targets AAP Government
Welcoming Shah’s proposed visit, Bittu said Punjab needed decisive action to address drug abuse and safeguard its youth. He also criticised the AAP government, claiming that it had lost its mandate before completing its term.
The remarks reflect the BJP’s broader criticism of the state government over drug trafficking, gangsterism and public safety. The AAP government and BJP leaders have traded accusations over the handling of these issues in recent days.
The proposed meetings in Sangrur, Batala and Mansa are expected to bring the experiences of families affected by drug abuse into focus. Further details about Shah’s itinerary and the meetings are awaited.
