Pratap Singh Bajwa Raises Alarm Over Youth Exodus, Drug Menace in Punjab; Faces Police Scrutiny Over Explosive Claims

• Apr 16, 2025

Punjab Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday voiced serious concerns about the state’s growing drug problem and the exodus of youth moving abroad. Addressing party workers in Mohali, Bajwa claimed that many young people in Punjab are “selling their land” to settle overseas and alleged that a significant number are struggling with drug addiction. He termed the situation a “big challenge” for the state.

“We have to save Punjab. Our children are selling their land and going abroad, many youths are addicted to drugs, this is a big challenge. Congress has good leadership,” Bajwa said during his address, shortly after leaving the Cyber Crime Police Station in Mohali.

Bajwa had been summoned in connection with a First Information Report (FIR) filed against him over his earlier claim that 50 bombs had entered Punjab and that 18 of them had already detonated. He stated that police have not summoned him again but added, “If they call me, I will tell you.”

Later in the evening, speaking to ANI, Bajwa criticized the government's treatment of the opposition, stating, “The real question is how they destroyed an established institution. The Leader of the Opposition is considered a shadow Chief Minister. If such a person can be kept for six hours in interrogation, think what will happen to a common man.”

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi extended full support to Bajwa, saying, “The entire Congress is with Bajwa sahab. We will fight this battle together.”

Bajwa’s comments about bombs and grenades allegedly entering Punjab triggered a visit from the Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence team to his residence. The visit was aimed at gathering details about the source of his claim. However, according to Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Ravjot Grewal, Bajwa failed to disclose any credible source.

“Partap Singh Bajwa had made a statement that grenades have entered Punjab; this was very sensitive information. So we came to inquire about the source. Since this concerns national security, it's crucial for us to know where this information came from,” Grewal told reporters in Chandigarh.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh slammed the Punjab government’s response, particularly targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh described Mann as “a bundle of insecurity and incompetence” and accused the AAP-led government of resorting to intimidation tactics.

“Instead of taking the warning seriously, the Chief Minister of Punjab accused Mr. Bajwa — who has lost family to terrorism — of links with terrorist groups. A counterintelligence team was sent to his residence, and cases have now been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023,” Ramesh wrote.

He added, “Clearly, the Punjab Chief Minister and the corrupt AAP leadership are rattled and are resorting to smear campaigns, intimidation, and threats. It will not work.”