Arvind Kejriwal Says BJP-Akali Turned Punjab Into Drug Hub, Seeks Amit Shah’s Apology

The article covers Kejriwal's criticisms of Amit Shah regarding Punjab's narcotics problem, contrasts with Gujarat, and defends the Bhagwant Mann administration's anti-drug campaign with public backing.

Arvind Kejriwal has targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asking for an apology from Punjab residents for allegedly allowing drugs to spread into homes during earlier governments of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal, while also defending the current Bhagwant Mann administration’s action against those linked to the drug trade.

Political clash over Punjab drugs and Gujarat questions

Kejriwal also questioned Amit Shah over drug-linked incidents in Gujarat, saying that if there was genuine concern about narcotics, then strict action should begin in that state first. Kejriwal asked why the so-called "double engine" government model was not used to tackle drugs in Gujarat before commenting on Punjab’s situation.

Past governments and Punjab drugs allegations

The Aam Aadmi Party leader alleged that earlier BJP–Akali Dal governments were responsible for making drugs reach households across Punjab. According to Kejriwal, people in the state still remember that period, which Kejriwal described as a dark phase, and Kejriwal said Punjab neither has forgotten it nor will forgive those responsible.

Kejriwal claimed that during that earlier phase, international drug traffickers found shelter in the houses of some ministers. Kejriwal further alleged that drug peddlers moved around Punjab in police vehicles with armed security, which, according to Kejriwal, helped narcotics reach homes across the state and deepened the problem of addiction.

Defending the Punjab government led by Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal stated that those who were ministers in that period and allegedly involved in drug-related crimes were now being sent to jail. Kejriwal said these individuals were facing punishment for their actions, and that the present administration was carrying out a decisive campaign against narcotics with support from the public.

Sharing a video clip of Amit Shah’s statement about creating a drug-free Punjab on X, Kejriwal wrote that “Amit Shah ji, Punjab ke ghar-ghar mein nasha pahunchane ke liye aapko to Punjab ke logon se maafi maangni chahiye.” Kejriwal asked how Amit Shah could now speak about a drug-free Punjab, given Kejriwal’s accusations about the previous governments.

Kejriwal also referred to narcotics seizures at Mundra Port in Gujarat, mentioning that drugs worth Rs 20,000 crore were caught there. Kejriwal asked why, despite this seizure, the owner of the port had not been arrested, and why those at the top level had not faced legal action in connection with that case.

Citing a Comptroller and Auditor General report about Gujarat, Kejriwal said the report stated that rats had allegedly consumed 2,300 kilograms of drugs kept in police custody. Kejriwal questioned whether this explanation was believable, claiming instead that the drugs were likely stolen from custody, sold in the market and that many families were ruined as a result.

Kejriwal ended the criticism by advising Amit Shah to focus on handling the drugs issue in Gujarat before speaking about Punjab. Kejriwal reiterated that the Bhagwant Mann government, working with citizens, was fighting a decisive battle against drugs, and that Punjab had neither forgotten nor forgiven what Kejriwal called the dark period of Akali–BJP rule.