Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today called for breaking the politico-police-pedlar nexus to finish the drug problem in Punjab."It is not just the Congress party's fight, but the fight of all Punjabis to save their future", he said after releasing a documentary, 'Fading Glory', on drug scourge in Punjab produced by Sadhvi Khosla.The Congress VP called upon the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh, who was also present on the occasion, that when he forms the government he must ensure to finish the problem at the earliest.Mr Gandhi appreciated the efforts of Ms Khosla in successfully presenting , through her documentary, the pain and pathos of the people who have suffered the losses of their near and dear ones.Recalling his earlier visit to Panjab University, where he had flagged his concern over growing drug abuse among the youth in Punjab, he regretted that instead of taking note of the seriousness and urgency of the situation, the ruling dispensation here went into a denial mode and criticised him.
Mr Gandhi said he did not mind anybody criticising him. He said, differences of ideas and opinions will be always there, but that should not mean that there should be no communication or exchange of ideas to resolve serious problems which can neither be denied nor ignored.He said he did not feel bad because someone criticised him, but he felt bad only because they failed to recognise the problem. "We all have to fight this scourge together to revive the glory of Punjab every Indian is proud of", he said, while adding, "whenever I think of Punjab, I think with respect, pride and honour".Speaking on the occasion Capt Amarinder reiterated his resolve to finish the drug problem at the earliest in Punjab. He said, he was bound by his pledge he had taken on Ghutka Sahab in Badlaav Rally in Bathinda, to finish the problem within four weeks.
He criticised the state government particularly the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal for denying the existence of the problem in Punjab. He said, the state government was only catching the small time drug addicts while had not touched any of the big fish.The PCC President also called for a National Drug Policy to have uniform laws across the country. Otherwise he said, there are states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan where growing or trading in opium is allowed and Punjab becomes the fertile market.Earlier 'Fading Glory', a documentary on drug problem in Punjab, produced by Sadhvi Khosla was screened in the jam packed theatre. It was widely appreciated by the people.Among others present on the occasion included Congress General Secretary Shakeel Ahmad, Ms Ambika Soni, Partap Singh Bajwa, Harish Chaudhary, PYC president Amarpreet Laly, Vijay Inder Singla and others.