BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has targeted the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government over the state’s drug problem and announced a statewide Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra from September 18 to 30.

Chadha alleged that drugs continue to remain easily available in Punjab, including through what he described as “home delivery”. He said the yatra would begin from four different locations across the state and would focus on the BJP’s roadmap to make Punjab drug-free.

Raghav Chadha targets Punjab government over drugs

Chadha questioned the Punjab government’s claim of having curbed the drug menace in the state. His remarks came in the context of the recent death of Gulzar Singh, who had reportedly raised concerns about the worsening drug situation.

Chadha alleged that Singh faced pressure and harassment after raising the issue and that this drove him to take his own life. These were allegations made by Chadha and should not be treated as established findings unless confirmed by the investigation.

Chadha also alleged that a BJP delegation was stopped from meeting Gulzar Singh’s family and offering condolences. He further claimed that drugs continued to be available through home delivery in Punjab.

Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra to begin September 18

The Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra will be held from September 18 to 30, according to Chadha.

He said the yatra would start from four different locations in Punjab. During the campaign, the BJP plans to present its detailed roadmap and strategy for making the state drug-free.

The announcement comes as the drug issue becomes an increasingly important political issue ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. The BJP is seeking to make the issue a major campaign point against the Mann government.

Chadha questions AAP’s claim on drug control

Taking aim at the AAP government, Chadha said Punjab had reached a situation where people were allegedly standing in queues for drugs in a manner comparable to queues for ration.

He questioned how the government could claim that the drug menace had been eliminated while making these allegations about continued drug availability.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has launched a fresh attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the death by suicide of Gulzar Singh, a 50-year-old man from Sangrur district.

Gandhi alleged that Singh was pressured by police to apologise after questioning Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the state’s handling of the drug menace. Singh later consumed pesticide and died after being taken to different hospitals, according to Gandhi’s account.

What Rahul Gandhi said about Gulzar Singh

Rahul Gandhi described the incident as part of what he called a “dangerous pattern” emerging under the Punjab AAP government.

He alleged that people who question the government’s performance on issues such as drugs are facing threats and torture.

According to Gandhi, Gulzar Singh belonged to the Dalit community and had seen his son become a victim of drugs. He said Singh questioned the finance minister about the government’s failure to stop the drug trade.

Gandhi alleged that Singh was subsequently humiliated and pressured to apologise, following which he consumed poison. He also claimed that Singh struggled to receive treatment after being taken from one hospital to another before eventually dying.

Rahul Gandhi demands action against Punjab government

Gandhi also referred to the case of Mohanjeet Singh, whom he said he had spoken with the previous week.

According to Gandhi, Mohanjeet Singh was allegedly subjected to custodial torture after protesting against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann by carrying a black flag at an event attended by the chief minister.

Gandhi said the government should respond to questions from citizens rather than suppress those raising concerns.

He called for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to demand the resignation of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and sought an independent and impartial investigation into Gulzar Singh’s death. Gandhi also demanded that Cheema’s name be registered in the FIR. These are Gandhi’s demands and allegations; the NDTV report does not establish them as proven findings.

Drug de-addiction admissions rise in Punjab

The report also cited government data showing a significant increase in admissions at state-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centres.

Admissions rose from 9,577 in 2024 to 25,290 in 2025, an increase of more than 164 per cent. More than 14,000 people had already been admitted to such centres by July this year, according to the data cited in the report.

The Congress has said that people in Punjab will vote out the AAP in the state election, which is due in the coming months.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for greater global expansion of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), highlighting India’s digital payments infrastructure and its potential to connect people and businesses across borders.

Speaking at the Fintech Fest, PM Modi emphasised the role of technology and financial innovation in transforming India’s payments ecosystem. He said India’s experience with digital payments offers an opportunity to take the country’s homegrown payment infrastructure to a wider international audience.

PM Modi highlights India’s digital payments journey

The Prime Minister pointed to the rapid growth of digital payments in India and the way UPI has become an important part of everyday transactions.

He stressed that India’s fintech ecosystem has demonstrated how technology can make financial services more accessible and convenient for people.

UPI has emerged as one of India’s key digital public infrastructure platforms, allowing users to make instant bank-to-bank payments through participating applications.

Push for wider international adoption of UPI

PM Modi also underlined the importance of taking India’s digital payment capabilities beyond the domestic market.

The push for wider UPI adoption comes as India has been working to establish digital payment linkages with other countries, enabling easier cross-border transactions.

Such international expansion can support Indian travellers, businesses and consumers by making digital payments more convenient in participating countries.

India’s fintech ecosystem in focus

The Prime Minister’s remarks came as the fintech sector continues to play a major role in India’s digital transformation.

India’s experience with UPI has attracted international attention because of the scale at which real-time digital payments are being used.

At the event, the broader fintech ecosystem and the potential of technology to improve access to financial services were also central to discussions.

Why UPI’s global expansion matters

A wider international footprint for UPI could strengthen India’s digital payments ecosystem while making cross-border transactions simpler in countries where UPI-linked systems are available.

The expansion also reflects India’s broader effort to promote its digital public infrastructure and fintech capabilities internationally.