A fresh political controversy has erupted in Punjab after the state’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) reportedly addressed a large gathering held under the banner of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign in Moga district. The event, organized at Killi Chahlan village near Moga, was attended by senior leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, including its national convener Arvind Kejriwal. While the Punjab government has maintained that the programme was an official anti-drug initiative, opposition parties are alleging that it resembled a political rally.
The presence of top bureaucratic and police officials on a stage that also featured prominent AAP leaders has triggered sharp reactions. Critics argue that this may be the first time such senior functionaries of the state administration have publicly addressed a gathering that opposition leaders describe as politically charged. The optics, they say, blur the line between administrative duty and political endorsement.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar raised pointed questions on social media, asking whether the All India Services (Conduct) Rules permit civil servants to address what appears to be a political rally. The rules clearly restrict members of the civil services from participating in or endorsing political activities. Jakhar alleged that if the event had electoral undertones, then the participation of senior officials would amount to a serious breach of service norms. He further accused the ruling party of turning a state-sponsored anti-drug programme into a platform with political messaging.
The BJP has strongly criticized what it calls the misuse of official machinery. Party leaders claim that government resources may have been used to organize the rally, including arrangements for transportation and logistics. They argue that if public funds were utilized for an event that carried political overtones, it raises serious ethical and administrative concerns.
The Shiromani Akali Dal has echoed similar objections. Party representatives have urged the Punjab Governor and the Election Commission of India to look into the matter. According to SAD leaders, civil servants must remain politically neutral, and any perceived alignment with a ruling party damages institutional credibility. They have demanded a thorough investigation into whether state resources were deployed in a manner that indirectly benefited the AAP.
On the other hand, government sources insist that the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ programme is a policy-driven initiative aimed at tackling Punjab’s long-standing drug menace. They maintain that the event was a government function, not a political rally, and therefore the participation of senior officials was appropriate. However, the absence of an official public statement from either the Chief Secretary or the DGP has added to the speculation.
The issue comes at a time when Punjab’s political atmosphere is already charged. The state has struggled with the problem of drug abuse for years, and any large-scale government initiative to address it naturally draws public attention. Yet, the current debate has shifted focus from the anti-drug campaign itself to questions about bureaucratic neutrality and adherence to conduct rules.
Opposition leaders argue that maintaining a clear separation between governance and politics is essential for democratic accountability. They warn that even the perception of political endorsement by civil servants can erode public trust. The ruling party, however, appears determined to project the campaign as a serious administrative effort to combat drugs, dismissing opposition claims as politically motivated.
As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are on whether the Punjab government will issue a formal clarification or whether constitutional authorities will step in to examine the allegations. For now, the episode underscores the fragile balance between administrative responsibility and political optics in a state where governance and electoral narratives often intersect.