Bajwa slams Punjab govt’s ‘war on drugs’ as dangerous gimmick, condemns use of school children

CHANDIGARH: In a scathing critique of the Punjab govt, leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of turning its much-hyped “War on Drugs” into a hollow and hazardous publicity stunt. Bajwa said the campaign lacks seriousness, planning, and accountability, and fails to address the real roots of Punjab’s escalating drug crisis.
Calling the recent developments “deeply disturbing,” Bajwa expressed outrage over reports from Faridkot district, where school children as young as 14 were instructed by the district administration to inspect shops for signs of drug-related activity. “What kind of governance puts children on the frontlines of a public health and criminal crisis? This is not just reckless—it is shameful,” Bajwa said. “Law enforcement should be handled by trained professionals, not by innocent students in uniform. This exposes the govt's administrative failure and complete disregard for child safety.”
He further said that while AAP leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia are busy projecting themselves as champions of public welfare, the ground reality in Punjab paints a bleak picture of mismanagement and misplaced priorities. “Children are being used as substitutes for a collapsing system. This is a disgrace in any functioning democracy.”
Bajwa called the decision to involve minors in anti-drug drives “an unforgivable lapse in judgment” and “a gross dereliction of duty” on the part of the state govt. “Instead of equipping police forces and expanding de-addiction facilities, the govt is hiding behind school banners, street plays, and empty slogans,” he remarked.
He also took a sharp dig at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, questioning whether risking children's mental well-being and safety is how his administration plans to combat the drug menace. “Is this the AAP model—substitute effective policing with theatrical performances while our youth pay the price?” he asked.
Bajwa concluded by warning that the people of Punjab are watching closely and will not be fooled by what he termed “symbolic, superficial acts.” “Children belong in classrooms, not on the frontlines of a crisis the state is too weak—or too unwilling—to fight properly,” he said.