After nearly 20 months as governor of Punjab, Gulab Chand Kataria has made his mark through his anti-drug field campaign, particularly in the worst-hit border areas. In an interview with HT, Kataria, 81, spoke on a range of issues including the drug menace, law and order in the border state, anti-conversion and anti-sacrilege laws. Edited excerpts:
How serious is the drug problem in Punjab?
“Bahut bhayanak hai (It’s a terrible situation).” Drugs come from Pakistan via drones. We’ve taken on the big drones, but now small, silent, invisible ones are being used. At our request, the Center installed anti-drone systems, and the Punjab government paid $10 lakh crore on technology, but success is limited as the border is 553 km long. Committees were formed at the village level for intelligence. A sustained, public-led effort is the only antidote. While Radha leader Swami Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon played an excellent role, the number of religious leaders I had expected to join had yet to arrive. People have tried to give this a political colour, but I have no political motive in my communication.
the Bhagwant ManLaunched government led “Yud Nashyan Virudh” The campaign took place in March of last year. Will the state win its war?
The state government is certainly doing its best and has tightened legal procedures. No other state witnessed the arrest of 63,000 people in one year; The property was demolished and drugs were confiscated. During my rural walks, people said that drugs were no longer free. If educational institutions ensure drug-free campuses, the impact will be evident within five years. People must create their own movement.
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How is the current law and order situation in Punjab?
It’s not satisfactory. Contract killings, gang wars, bomb explosions and extortion occur almost daily. This created an atmosphere of fear. Even Chandigarh witnessed daylight murders and a bomb blast at the BJP office, prompting us to tighten security.
Have you shared your concerns with the Prime Minister?
I spoke to him (Mann) and the general manager (Gaurav Yadav). They cite the number of cases solved, but human rights bodies often hinder comprehensive action against criminals. Police appear wary of lawsuits. Our police have not succeeded in taking action against criminals the way the Uttar Pradesh Police has succeeded.
How do you respond to blaming the BJP for the recent bombings in Jalandhar and Amritsar?
No political party should stoop to this extent to say things that are not in the national interest. People resort to the blame game to deflect accountability. Law and order should not be a political issue. Punjab is a sensitive border state. All parties must rise above narrow interests to preserve the hard-won peace that forms the basis of progress.
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What made you agree to the new one? Draft law against sacrilege So quickly when previous versions were denied approval?
I went with the spirit and intent behind the law. The state government has advised that a similar law should be formulated to protect the sentiments of other religions and to increase public satisfaction.
Some parties express concern about religious conversions. How do you view this issue?
There is no doubt that this causes great concern. If religious conversions threaten a change in demographics, they can pose a danger to the nation. The state government should seriously consider passing a law against religious conversions that exploit economic or social vulnerabilities.
