Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has launched a fierce counter-offensive following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state and his remarks concerning Punjab’s law and order. In a strongly worded video message released on Tuesday, the Chief Minister unequivocally urged the central government and the BJP to cease engaging in “cheap politics” over Punjab’s sensitive matters. He remarked that leaders who visit Punjab only during election season to deliver lectures ought to introspect first.
CM Mann confronted the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and BJP-governed states with several direct questions, highlighting issues of narcotics trafficking, border management, organized crime syndicates, and the farmers’ agitation.
‘Drug Trade Flourished Under the Akali-BJP Regime’
Recalling political history, Bhagwant Mann stated that between 2007 and 2017—when the Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP alliance governed Punjab—contraband entered the state by quintals. He questioned:
“When the sapling of drug menace was turning into a sprawling tree and high-profile ministers’ names were surfacing alongside smugglers, why didn’t the Home Minister show any urgency to save Punjab? Why didn’t the Centre initiate a CBI probe back then in the Bikram Majithia case despite widespread demands?”
Sharp Questions on Border Security and Gujarat’s Ports
Raising the issue of cross-border smuggling along the international frontier, the Chief Minister pointed out:
Border Security Falls Under BSF Purview: A 50-kilometer belt extending inward from the Punjab border falls under the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF), which reports directly to the Union Home Ministry. Thus, intercepting trans-border drones and narcotics consignments is a constitutional duty of the Centre.
Inaction on Anti-Drone Countermeasures: Despite multiple meetings in which the Punjab government formally requested deployment of anti-drone defense mechanisms across the 532-km international frontier, the Centre exhibited indifference. Nevertheless, Punjab has deployed resources and collaborated with the BSF independently.
Smuggling Through Gujarat Ports: Citing instances of massive contraband interceptions at Gujarat’s Mundra and Kandla ports, the Chief Minister questioned how thousands of kilograms of narcotics are landing there. Taking a swipe at reports from the state claiming vast quantities of seized substances disappeared or were ‘eaten by rodents,’ he asked whose institutional failure is allowing these consignments to disperse across the nation.
ਅਕਾਲੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ਼ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਦੀ ਭਾਈਵਾਲੀ ਵੇਲ਼ੇ ਫ਼ੈਲਿਆ ਪੰਜਾਬ ‘ਚ ਨਸ਼ਾ, ਅੱਜ ਨਸ਼ਿਆਂ ‘ਤੇ ਹੋਛੀ ਸਿਆਸਤ ਨਾ ਖੇਡਣ ਅਮਿਤ ਸ਼ਾਹ!
🔸 2007-2017 ਦੌਰਾਨ ਅਕਾਲੀ-ਭਾਜਪਾ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਸਮੇਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ‘ਚ ਲੱਗੀ ਨਸ਼ੇ ਦੀ ਜੜ੍ਹ, ਅਮਿਤ ਸ਼ਾਹ ਉਦੋਂ ਕਿਉਂ ਨਾ ਬੋਲੇ?
🔸 ਡੇਢ ਸਾਲ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਸੜਕਾਂ ‘ਤੇ ਬੈਠੇ ਤੇ 750 ਦੇ ਕਰੀਬ ਸ਼ਹੀਦੀਆਂ ਹੋਈਆਂ, ਉਦੋਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਕਿਉਂ ਨਾ ਬਚਾਇਆ?
🔸 ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਨਾਲ਼ ਲੱਗਦੀ ਸਰਹੱਦ ਦੀ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਆ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਕਦਮ ਕਿਉਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਚੁੱਕਦੇ?🔹 2027 ਦੀਆਂ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਆਉਂਦੀਆਂ ਦੇਖ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਦਾ ਦਿਖਾਵਾ, 3 ਕਾਲ਼ੇ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ, ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਖੋਹਣ ਦੀ ਮਨਸ਼ਾ, ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਪਾਣੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਵੰਡ, NDPS ਐਕਟ ‘ਚ ਸੋਧ ਨਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਰਗੇ ਫੈਸਲਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਸਾਫ਼ ਜ਼ਾਹਿਰ ਹੈ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਦਾ ਅਸਲੀ ਚਿਹਰਾ।
– @BhagwantMann
ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ, ਪੰਜਾਬ— AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) October 20, 2026
Remembrance of 700 Martyred Farmers
Evoking the prolonged farmer protests against the three contentious farm bills on the borders of Delhi, Mann stated that over 700 farmers made the supreme sacrifice during the nearly 18-month struggle. At that time, no representative from the central government visited those grieving families. In contrast, Mann noted, Punjab’s AAP government extended ₹5 lakh compensation alongside government employment to the dependents of the martyred farmers.
‘Gangster Networks Flourishing in BJP-Ruled States’
Citing the recent firing incident outside actor Salman Khan’s residence in Mumbai, the Chief Minister highlighted that the trail of shooters led back to Kurukshetra in Haryana and Kota in Rajasthan—both states under BJP governance. He further alleged that notorious kingpins continue to coordinate criminal syndicates from high-security federal facilities such as Tihar and Sabarmati central jails, which remain under federal monitoring and control.
Assurance of Impartial Probe in Parwinder Singh ‘Jhota’ Case
Addressing the murder of Mansa-based anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh ‘Jhota’, the Chief Minister expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family. Reaffirming his administration’s support, he stated that the government has recommended a CBI inquiry to ensure an impartial, transparent probe.