Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Tuesday, 1 September launched a sharp attack on state Home Minister Priyank Kharge, alleging that the drug network in Karnataka had expanded sixfold since the Congress government assumed power roughly three years ago. Ashoka called on Kharge to either act decisively against the alleged drug mafia or step down from office.

The Allegations and the Numbers

Citing purported data on student arrests linked to drug offences, Ashoka alleged that the number of students caught in the drug network rose from 36 in 2024 to 59 in 2025 and further to 228 by July 2026. Of the 228 students, 177 are reportedly from Bengaluru alone. The total number of arrests connected to drug peddling, according to Ashoka, has reached 189.

'After your incompetent government came to power, the drug network in Karnataka has increased sixfold in the last three years,' Ashoka alleged, quoting the figures from a report he cited.

Students Turning into Peddlers: A Deepening Concern

Ashoka underscored what he described as a troubling shift in the pattern of drug abuse. 'Earlier, students used to procure drugs from peddlers and consume them. It is concerning that, in recent days, students have themselves become drug peddlers,' he said, according to the report he referenced. He accused the government of allowing Karnataka's youth to be sacrificed to the 'ganja mafia' and questioned the Congress's moral standing to speak on youth welfare.

What Ashoka Demanded

In a post on social media platform X, Ashoka urged Priyank Kharge to redirect his attention from what he called 'unnecessary controversies' to his own department. 'Instead of creating unnecessary and irrelevant controversies, please pay some attention to your department,' Ashoka wrote. He demanded the government constitute a dedicated task force headed by a senior, capable police officer to crack down on the alleged drug network. 'Form a task force under the leadership of an efficient police officer and take stringent action against the drug mafia. Protect the future of the youth of our Kannada land,' he said. He also asked Kharge to resign if the situation could not be brought under control: 'If you cannot do it, resign from the post of Home Minister and go home.'

Political Context

The BJP's offensive comes at a time when the Congress government in Karnataka, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has been under sustained pressure from the opposition on multiple fronts. The drug network charge adds to a series of governance critiques the BJP has levelled since the Congress returned to power in the state. Notably, the figures Ashoka cited are attributed to a report he referenced and have not been independently verified; the state government had not issued a formal response as of the time of reporting.

What Happens Next

Political observers expect the Congress to rebut the allegations, potentially questioning the data's sourcing and methodology. Whether the BJP's demand for a dedicated anti-drug task force gains traction will depend on how the state government responds in the coming days. The issue is likely to dominate the Karnataka legislative session debate on law and order.