Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal today launched an anti-drug curriculum for students of Classes IX to XII in all government schools during an event held in the Arniwala sub-tehsil of Fazilka district.
Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal said the Punjab Government, led by AAP, had set a precedent by introducing this drug-prevention syllabus in school education, and other states should follow suit.
Criticising opposition leaders, Kejriwal alleged that when action was taken and certain individuals were jailed (in a veiled reference to SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia), several political leaders united in their support for the “biggest drug smugglers.”
He further accused former ministers of using official vehicles to aid drug trafficking and announced that after its rollout in government schools, the curriculum would soon be introduced in private schools and colleges as well.
CM Bhagwant Mann, without taking any names, claimed that opposition leaders, especially from the Congress, tried to shield drug networks and expressed false outrage when action was taken. He said the primary goal of this initiative is to educate and protect the youth from drug abuse during their formative years.
ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਭਗਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਾਨ ਨੇ ਫ਼ਾਜ਼ਿਲਕਾ ਦੇ ਸਕੂਲ ਆਫ਼ ਐਮੀਨੈਂਸ,ਅਰਨੀਵਾਲਾ ਵਿਖੇ ਨਸ਼ਾ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਸਿਲੇਬਸ ਦੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤ ਕਰਵਾਈ ਅਤੇ ਨਾਗਰਿਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਬੋਧਨ ਕੀਤਾ।
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Chief Minister @BhagwantMann launched the Drug Prevention Syllabus at the School of Eminence in Arniwala, Fazilka district, and… pic.twitter.com/8TbjO8VtIJ— Government of Punjab (@PbGovtIndia) August 1, 2025
CM Bhagwant Mann added that motivational speakers, doctors, and educators will visit schools to inform students about the harmful effects of drugs. He also alleged that during earlier governments, drug supplies were transported in ministerial vehicles, but his government is committed to holding such individuals accountable.
Despite continuous rainfall, a large number of teachers from six nearby districts—Fazilka, Ferozepur, Moga, Muktsar, Faridkot, and Bathinda—attended the event. As per official sources, they were instructed to be present for the launch.
Significantly, the curriculum has been developed by J-PAL South Asia, led by Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee. It aims to equip nearly 8 lakh students across 3,658 schools with preventive education and skills to resist substance abuse.