BJP faction seeks end to blame game on drugs

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 3

Seeking an end to politics on drugs in the state, a section of BJP leaders today advocated spreading awareness on the matter instead of adopting the path of mudslinging.

Union Minister of State for Social and Empowerment Vijay Sampla and Assistant Media Adviser to the state government Vineet Joshi told the media that they had been organising seminars and talks all over the state for the past one year to spread awareness against drugs.

“There is no point in holding someone responsible for the menace. We don’t want politics on the matter. We practice and advocate that the solution to the issue lies in educating the parents to detect early symptoms of addiction in their children. We are trying to sensitise society to accept the reformed addicts,” said Sampla.

He pointed out that though claims and counter-claims were being made on the matter, it was interesting that there was no clear data about the extent of the problem. “We are in the process of hiring agencies to collect data. It is not an easy task,” he said.

Both Sampla and Joshi have the support of Rajya Sabha MP and national BJP vice-president Avinash Rai Khanna among other leaders. They have taken a divergent view from the aggressive statements made by the state BJP over drug abuse in the state where they indirectly blame the ruling Akali Dal.

Joshi said his NGO, Joshi Foundation, had organised drug awareness programmes all over the state.

He along with Sampla insisted awareness was the only solution. “We are here not to accuse anyone for drug abuse. We are here to request all to spread awareness against drug abuse,” Joshi said.

National leaders, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP president Amit Shah, have also raised the issue at various platforms, much to the embarrassment of the Akali Dal. The state unit of the BJP led by president Kamal Sharma too had raised the issue at several levels accusing the police of laxity.

The debate was started by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in October 2012, when he claimed in Chandigarh that 70 per cent of state youths were drug addicts. The Akalis have been counter accusing the BJP and the Congress of playing politics over the matter.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has stated a number of times that such accusations were aimed at maligning the youth of the state.