In a politically charged and strategically significant gathering at the Village Defence Committee (VDC) oath ceremony in Moga, Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann intensified their government’s campaign against drugs, positioning the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ drive as both a governance milestone and a defining political battle for Punjab’s future.
Addressing a large public gathering, the two leaders framed the anti-drug movement as a turning point in the state’s political history, directly accusing traditional parties — the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress — of presiding over years of alleged patronage and inaction that allowed narcotics to spread across Punjab. They asserted that the AAP government is the first administration to confront the drug trade head-on rather than shield those involved.
Arvind Kejriwal recalled that when the campaign was launched on March 1 last year under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, public confidence was fragile. He said people were hesitant to come forward with information due to fear of retaliation from powerful traffickers and concerns for their families’ safety. According to him, previous governments had made promises but failed to deliver tangible action, which had created widespread scepticism.
Over the past year, however, the AAP leadership claims the landscape has shifted. Kejriwal highlighted that more than 2,000 kilograms of narcotics have been seized during the drive, thousands of alleged traffickers have been arrested, and properties of prominent drug operators have been demolished. He described these actions as unprecedented in Punjab’s history, stating that individuals once considered untouchable have been brought under the ambit of the law. The public response in Moga, he argued, reflected growing trust in the state government’s resolve.
Central to the next phase of the campaign is the expansion of Village Defence Committees across Punjab. Kejriwal explained that these committees are being formed in every village and urban ward, comprising respected local figures such as retired teachers, former army personnel, youth representatives and elected village leaders. Their primary responsibility, he said, is twofold: to provide confidential information about drug suppliers and networks operating in their areas, and to assist in identifying individuals struggling with addiction so they can be guided toward treatment.
To address concerns about safety and anonymity, the Punjab government has introduced a dedicated digital application for VDC members. Kejriwal assured the gathering that information submitted through the app would remain confidential and would be routed directly to the Chief Minister’s Office to ensure swift action. He also issued a warning that any police officer found colluding with traffickers would face strict consequences, while those demonstrating integrity and effectiveness would be rewarded.
Calling for wider community participation, Kejriwal urged that Village Defence Committees should not remain limited to a handful of members but evolve into mass platforms representing entire villages. He argued that collective social pressure, alongside enforcement, would make it impossible for drug peddlers to operate.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann echoed these sentiments, describing the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign as a moral and administrative obligation to cleanse Punjab of the “chitta” menace. He alleged that during previous regimes, drugs were allowed to flourish under political patronage and even transported using official vehicles. In contrast, he said, his government has adopted a multi-layered strategy — severing supply chains, demolishing illegal assets, rehabilitating victims and ensuring strict prosecution.
Mann claimed that the crackdown has already forced several smugglers to flee the state and that the anti-drug drive has evolved into a people’s movement. He stressed that law enforcement alone would not suffice and that long-term prevention measures are equally critical. To that end, he highlighted the construction of sports grounds in villages, provision of sports equipment and the creation of employment opportunities as part of a broader youth engagement strategy.
The Chief Minister said the government has provided more than 63,000 government jobs based on merit, without alleged bribery or political recommendations. He argued that employment generation has reduced the desperation that often pushes young people toward addiction or migration abroad. Mann also claimed that the number of youth applying for passports has declined, attributing this to increased confidence in local opportunities.
During his address, Mann also defended the state’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, describing it as a first-of-its-kind initiative that offers cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh per family. He accused opposition forces of spreading misinformation about the scheme to undermine public trust. According to him, universal healthcare coverage, free power to the majority of households and improved irrigation access reflect a governance model focused on welfare and accountability.
Senior AAP leader and Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia reinforced the narrative, stating that more than 17,000 alleged drug smugglers have been jailed and that the second phase of the campaign will intensify efforts to dismantle remaining networks. He described Village Defence Committees as catalysts that will sustain the movement at the grassroots level.
Politically, the Moga event served as both a governance review and a campaign-style mobilisation. Kejriwal openly urged citizens to remember which parties, in his view, allowed the drug crisis to escalate and cautioned against returning them to power. The leadership presented the anti-drug campaign as a defining electoral and moral issue, linking Punjab’s revival to the continuity of the current administration.
As Punjab navigates complex social and economic challenges, the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ initiative has become a central pillar of the AAP government’s political identity. By combining aggressive enforcement with community mobilisation, welfare schemes and youth engagement, the party is attempting to recast governance in the state around accountability and mass participation. Whether this strategy will deliver a lasting transformation or remain a politically symbolic campaign will ultimately be judged by its sustained outcomes. For now, the message from Moga was unequivocal: the battle against drugs is being projected not merely as a policy programme, but as a defining struggle for Punjab’s future.
