Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah participated in the Vijayadashami festival in Ludhiana, Punjab, where he performed the burning of a symbolic Ravana representing 'Chitta' (Drugs). During the event, Shah announced the government's resolve to eliminate the drug trade from Punjab by December 31, 2029, making it a drug-free state.
The Home Minister revealed that he met families at three locations in Punjab who had lost their sons in the fight against drugs, describing their pain as deeply affecting. He noted that the Punjab government has already handed over one murder investigation to the CBI and urged them to transfer the remaining two cases as well. Shah assured that once investigations are with CBI, "no matter how big a person is involved in these murders, the Modi government will track them down and put them behind bars."
Shah announced the establishment of a Narcotics Control Bureau toll-free helpline for Punjab residents to report drug trade information, with a government commitment to take action on such reports. He cited the government's track record of fulfilling promises, specifically mentioning the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, the near-elimination of terrorism, and the ending of Naxalism as precedents for their commitment to eliminating the drug menace.
The event took place in Ludhiana, where the Ramlila Committee has been organizing Ravana Dahan programs for 200 years. Shah described Vijayadashami as a day for eliminating ego, pride, greed, and other evils within individuals, drawing parallels between the ancient victory of good over evil and the modern fight against drugs.