Phagwara, March 19
Responding to the drug crisis in Punjab, retired IAS officer and MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal sharply criticized the state government. He stated that the arrest of a sarpanch in Amritsar indicates that the AAP government’s “war on drugs” campaign is merely a show to mislead the public. Earlier, in Tarn Taran, a sitting sarpanch was caught with heroin, with quantities ranging between 4 to 5 kilograms, demonstrating the severity of the situation.
Dhaliwal said that such incidents are no longer isolated but indicate an emerging and worrying pattern that requires immediate attention. He emphasized that Punjab has long been grappling with the drug problem, which has devastated many families and weakened the social fabric. He further stated that the alleged involvement of individuals holding local authority in criminal activities raises serious questions about governance, accountability, and grassroots leadership. “The people of Punjab have the right to transparent and accountable leadership,” he said.
Highlighting the need for systemic reforms, Dhaliwal called for greater transparency in the selection and monitoring of public representatives. He also questioned the existing mechanisms for vetting candidates and ensuring their accountability once in office. He added that recurring incidents like these point to serious flaws in the system and urged authorities to adopt an impartial approach to strict law enforcement, institutional reforms, and removing criminal elements from politics.
“Punjab stands at a critical juncture. Addressing the drug problem requires not just stringent laws but also ethical leadership that can earn the trust of the people. Accountability must be universal and unwavering,” Dhaliwal said. He concluded by stating that restoring public trust and ensuring clean governance are essential for effectively tackling the state’s drug problem.
