Pak Radio claim of Punjabi youth being pushed towards drugs, alcoholism exposed

Gurdaspur, June 24 : Radio Pakistan's propagandist Punjabi Durbar program is showing no signs of restraint insofar as its anti-India tirade is concerned.

The latest allegation is that the government in East Punjab is promoting a culture of nightclubs and bars, suggesting that the youth of the region are being forcefully pushed into the world of drugs and alcohol.

Punjabis are known for their zest for life. They enjoy their food and drink, but to suggest that the Punjab government is opening bars and nightclubs across the State in a wanton manner, is nothing but canard, say its residents.

Joginder Pal Dhingra, the former President of the Amritsar District, says: "No nation will allow its youth to go towards drugs and alcohol, as they are the backbone of any country."

"Pakistan should know that its citizens while visiting India always demand being served alcohol in their honour to drink. How could Pakistan claim that the people in India, especially the youths, are lost in drugs and alcohol? It's my urge to Pakistan Radio that it should not do this sort of anti-India propaganda for the sake of better ties between the two neighbours in future," Dhingra said.

"The new government of Pakistan must check this anti-India propaganda broadcasted on its official radio so that the mind of the young generations in both countries are not corrupted with hatred for each other," he added.

Dr. Raj Kumar, a former Congress minister, said: "The Congress party always seek peace, harmony and brotherhood between India and Pakistan. The Congress always wants to see Punjab's growth as a happy and a lively state of Bhangra and Gidhaa dances."

"They (Pakistan) should first look after their own Punjab where people are almost slaves. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to go to Pakistan only to build good relations between the two nations," he added.

It is regrettable that Radio Pakistan is always found coming out with malicious anti-India propaganda, which divides the people living here peacefully.

ANI