Punjab News:Sunil Jakhar Owes Punjab Many Answers on Drugs, Role of His Old Bosses & New; His 45-Minute Lectures Cannot Erase Congress or BJP’s Record: Baltej Pannu

Amit Shah Wants To Take Responsibility for Punjab, What About Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana & Rajasthan? Baltej Pannu

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Punjab Mangda Jawab’ Rally Must Answer for Congress’s Last Govt; Unfulfilled Promises on Drugs, Jobs & Loan Waivers: Baltej Pannu

Punjab Will Not Allow Its Identity to Be Reduced to Drugs; Congress & BJP Must Answer for Their Record: Baltej Pannu

Bihar DGP Looks to Punjab’s Community-Led Yudh Nashean Model: Baltej Pannu

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu hit back at Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar over his remarks on the drug menace, challenging him to answer for the Congress government’s record under Captain Amarinder Singh before lecturing Punjabis. He questioned Sunil Jakhar’s silence during the Neha Shori murder case and the Rajjit Singh controversy, and demanded answers from the Congress leadership on unfulfilled promises made under the Sri Gutka Sahib oath.

Highlighting the Bhagwant Mann government’s Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign, the AAP Punjab Media In-charge highlighted Punjab’s community-led efforts to combat drugs and questioned why the BJP singled out Punjab when other states, including Gujarat, Bihar, Haryana and Rajasthan, also face the problem. He also challenged Rahul Gandhi to address Congress’s record ahead of his proposed Sangrur rally.

Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu questioned Sunil Jakhar’s record during his tenure as Congress President under Captain Amarinder Singh, stating: “Sunil Jakhar can speak for 45 minutes at a time, but Punjab wants answers, not lectures. When he was Congress President and Captain Amarinder Singh was Chief Minister, where were his press conferences on the issues he is raising today? Let him show Punjab even one press conference in which he demanded accountability over these controversies.”

Referring to the 2019 murder of Inspector Neha Shori, Baltej Pannu said, “The present government has agreed to the family’s demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Sunil Jakhar must make public any comparable demand or campaign he undertook during his tenure as Congress president. Did he hold a press conference demanding a CBI investigation or publicly press for accountability at the time?”

Questioning Sunil Jakhar’s record on the controversy surrounding former Punjab Police officer Rajjit Singh, who came under scrutiny in connection with allegations linked to the drug trade, he continued, “Sunil Jakhar should tell Punjab what he did when the allegations surrounding Rajjit Singh came to light. Did he hold a press conference? Did he question the government led by Captain Amarinder Singh? Did he demand accountability? If he did, let him put the record before the public instead of making speeches today.”

Taking aim at Captain Amarinder Singh’s government, Baltej Pannu said, “Congress leaders made sweeping promises to eliminate drugs and provide employment, but the people of Punjab are still waiting for answers about the commitments made during that period. Captain Amarinder Singh made a pre-election pledge associated with the Gutka Sahib oath and promised employment for every household. Loan-waiver forms and slips were distributed among farmers. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership must explain what became of these promises.”

The AAP Punjab Media In-charge further questioned Sunil Jakhar’s response to the previous government’s handling of the drug problem, stating: “Did Sunil Jakhar challenge Captain Amarinder Singh over the government’s handling of the drug problem? Did he publicly demand that the promises made to Punjabis be fulfilled? Leaders who remained silent when their own government was in power cannot now claim the moral authority to lecture Punjab.”

Referring to controversies surrounding the influence of a foreign woman over police transfers during the previous regime, Baltej Pannu added, “Sunil Jakhar must clarify what he knew about the matter and whether he ever publicly questioned the government. Leaders who remained silent when their own government was in power cannot now lecture the people of Punjab.”

Raising questions about the BJP’s approach to tackling drugs, he asked, “If Amit Shah is being presented as the answer to Punjab’s drug problem, then what about Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan? Are drugs not a concern in those states? Why is this responsibility being singled out for Punjab? Is the objective to solve the problem everywhere, or simply to keep Punjab under a cloud of stigma?”

Baltej Pannu emphasised that Punjab did not need political leaders from Delhi to dictate how the state should fight the drug menace. “The Bhagwant Mann government, law-enforcement agencies, village defence committees and ordinary citizens are working together through the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign.”

He further asserted, “Punjab knows how to fight its own battle. Our people are standing together against drugs, and the government is mobilising communities rather than treating this as a publicity exercise. Our objective is to eradicate the menace and protect the future of our young people.”

Bihar DGP’s Reported Remarks Recognise Punjab’s Community-Led Approach

Citing a report in an English-language newspaper about the drug problem in Bihar, Baltej Pannu stated: “Bihar’s Director General of Police (DGP) has reportedly pointed to Punjab as a state from which lessons can be learned about mobilising communities to fight drugs. More than one lakh Village Defence Committee and Ward Defence Committee members are involved in Punjab’s community-based approach.”

He added that Bihar, too, is grappling with the drug menace. When a senior police official from another state reportedly identifies Punjab’s approach as worthy of study, political opponents should acknowledge such efforts instead of continuing to stigmatise the state.

Baltej Pannu further stated, “Bihar is also facing a serious drug problem, yet its DGP has reportedly pointed towards Punjab as an example of how people can be brought together to fight this menace. If a state like Bihar is looking at Punjab’s community mobilisation for lessons, why are some leaders here determined to portray Punjab only in a negative light?”

Emphasising the role of grassroots participation, Baltej Pannu added, “The strength of Yudh Nashean Virudh lies in involving people at the grassroots level and building collective resistance against drugs. The campaign is about protecting families, safeguarding young people and ensuring that communities become active participants in the fight.”

Rahul Gandhi and Congress Must Answer Punjab’s Questions

Ahead of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s proposed rally in Sangrur under the banner Punjab Mangda Jawab, Baltej Pannu stated, “Punjab certainly wants answers, Rahul Gandhi. What happened to the promises made by Captain Amarinder Singh after taking the Gutka Sahib oath? What happened to the promise of jobs for every household? What happened to the loan-waiver commitments and the slips that farmers were given? Punjab has been asking these questions for years.”

He continued , “Medical drugs entering Punjab from neighbouring states like Himachal Pradesh, need to be addressed through effective inter-state coordination and accountability. Rahul Gandhi must explain what Congress proposes to do about the problem and how it will account for the record of its own governments.”

He added, “Congress cannot seek political mileage by raising the drug issue in Punjab while avoiding questions about its previous administration and the commitments made to the people.”

Baltej Pannu emphasised that people of Punjab expect Rahul Gandhi to use his Sangrur visit to provide substantive answers rather than repeat political rhetoric.

Punjab’s Yudh Nashean Virudh Is a Collective Mission

Reiterating Bhagwant Mann government’s commitment to the campaign, Baltej Pannu stated, “Yudh Nashean Virudh is being strengthened through enforcement, community participation and the promotion of sports and constructive opportunities for young people. The growing participation of young people in sporting activities demonstrates the importance of creating alternatives that encourage discipline, confidence and a healthier future.”

He appealed to all sections of society to support the campaign, stating, “Punjab will continue its campaign against drugs regardless of political criticism. I call upon all sections of society to support this effort.”

Baltej Pannu asserted, “Punjab will not allow its identity to be reduced to the drug menace. Our people are fighting this battle together, our youth are moving towards sports and positive opportunities, and our government is committed to carrying this campaign forward. Those who want to criticise us are welcome to do so, but they must also answer for their own record.”