Punjab BJP chief Dhillon attacks AAP over silencing anti-drug voices in Sangrur
Synopsis
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon has accused the AAP government of silencing anti-drug campaigners rather than tackling the drug trade — naming three individuals from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's own home district of Sangrur as alleged victims. The attack lands just as AAP is running a state-wide campaign touting its four-and-a-half years of governance.
Key Takeaways
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon publicly attacked the AAP government on 20 September 2026 over alleged suppression of anti-drug voices.
Dhillon cited three alleged incidents in Sangrur — CM Bhagwant Mann's home district — involving Mohanjeet Singh , Gulzar Singh , and Jagsir Jaga .
Jagsir Singh reportedly consumed poison after allegedly being targeted for raising concerns about open drug sales in his village, according to Dhillon.
Dhillon alleged the AAP government is 'silencing voices raised against drugs' instead of acting against the drug trade.
The BJP attack coincides with AAP's ongoing door-to-door campaign highlighting its four-and-a-half years in power.
The AAP government had not officially responded to Dhillon's specific allegations at the time of reporting.
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Kewal Singh Dhillon on Sunday, 20 September 2026, launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state, alleging that it has failed to curb the drug menace and is instead attempting to silence those who speak out against the open sale of narcotics. Dhillon cited three alleged incidents, all reportedly linked to Sangrur — the home district of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann — as evidence of a pattern of intimidation.
Three Alleged Incidents in One Month
In a post on X, Dhillon named three individuals he claimed had raised their voices against drug activity in their villages, only to face adverse consequences. He identified them as Mohanjeet Singh from Sheron village, Gulzar Singh from a Dalit family in Tur Banjara, and Jagsir Jaga, described as a poor labourer from Namol village.
According to Dhillon, Jagsir Singh, who had allegedly raised concerns about open drug sales in his village, was subjected to treatment similar to that meted out to Gulzar Singh. Dhillon further alleged that the ordeal left Jagsir so distressed that he was reportedly forced to consume poison. These are allegations made by Dhillon and have not been independently verified.
BJP's Charge: Suppression Over Action
Dhillon alleged that instead of taking effective action against the drug trade, the AAP administration was focused on suppressing dissenting voices. 'The AAP government, failing to curb drugs, is now focusing on silencing voices raised against drugs,' he wrote in his X post.
The BJP leader called it 'extremely shameful' that three such incidents had allegedly occurred within a single month in the Chief Minister's own home district. 'If the Chief Minister cannot protect the people of his own area from drugs and the mafia, then what will happen to the rest of Punjab?' Dhillon asked.
Political Context: AAP's Outreach Campaign
Dhillon's broadside comes at a politically sensitive moment. The AAP government has simultaneously launched a door-to-door campaign to highlight its achievements over four-and-a-half years in power in Punjab. The BJP's escalating criticism over the drug issue directly undercuts that narrative, particularly as the allegations centre on Sangrur, which carries symbolic weight as Chief Minister Mann's home district.
This is not the first time the drug menace has become a flashpoint in Punjab politics. The issue has historically been a pressure point for every government in the state, and the AAP, which came to power in 2022 on a strong anti-drug platform, has faced persistent opposition criticism over its track record on delivery.
BJP's Commitment to Anti-Drug Campaigners
Reaffirming his party's stance, Dhillon said the BJP would not allow the voices of innocent people to be suppressed and declared that the party stands firmly with Jagsir Singh and others who are fighting against the drug trade. The AAP government had not issued an official response to Dhillon's specific allegations at the time of reporting.
As Punjab's drug crisis continues to draw national attention, the BJP's posture of championing anti-drug voices could sharpen ahead of any forthcoming electoral contest in the state.
Point of View
And any credible evidence of intimidating whistleblowers would be a severe reputational blow. The real story to watch is not the party battle but whether any of the three named individuals receive official redress — that outcome will reveal far more about governance in Punjab than any press statement.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon allege against the AAP government?
Dhillon alleged that the AAP government in Punjab is failing to curb the drug menace and is instead silencing people who speak out against the open sale of drugs. He cited three specific individuals from Sangrur district — CM Bhagwant Mann's home district — who he claimed faced retaliation after raising anti-drug concerns.
Who are the three individuals named by Dhillon in his allegations?
Dhillon named Mohanjeet Singh from Sheron village, Gulzar Singh from a Dalit family in Tur Banjara, and Jagsir Jaga, a labourer from Namol village. He alleged all three had raised their voices against drug activity and subsequently faced adverse consequences, with Jagsir Singh reportedly consuming poison in distress.
Why is Sangrur significant in this political controversy?
Sangrur is the home district of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The BJP's focus on Sangrur is politically pointed — Dhillon argued that if the Chief Minister cannot protect people from drugs and the mafia in his own district, the situation for the rest of Punjab is concerning.
How has AAP responded to the BJP's drug suppression allegations?
The AAP government had not issued an official response to Dhillon's specific allegations at the time of reporting. The ruling party has been running a door-to-door campaign highlighting its governance achievements over four-and-a-half years in power.
What is the broader context of Punjab's drug crisis in politics?
The drug menace has been a recurring political flashpoint in Punjab across successive governments. AAP came to power in the 2022 state elections partly on a strong anti-drug platform, making any credible allegations of inaction or suppression of drug whistleblowers particularly damaging to its political identity.
