Fazilka, Aug 2 — Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal today launched an anti-drug curriculum for students of classes IX to XII in all government schools across the state. The initiative was formally unveiled during a rain-soaked public event at Arniwala in Fazilka district.
Kejriwal hailed the rollout as a first-of-its-kind intervention against drug abuse in Indian schools. “Punjab has set a precedent by introducing an anti-drug syllabus in classrooms,” he said. “Other states will now have no option but to follow in our footsteps.”
The AAP leader used the occasion to sharply criticise political rivals. Without naming individuals but alluding to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Kejriwal said, “When I was jailed, these leaders started crying and came together to defend the biggest drug smugglers.” He further accused ministers from previous governments of providing official vehicles to traffickers.
Echoing similar allegations, CM Mann said that “drugs were being transported in ministers’ cars under the previous regime.” He charged that several opposition figures, particularly from the Congress, had either supported or turned a blind eye to the growing drug crisis. “They cried over arrests, but we will put them behind bars if they are found guilty of promoting the drug trade,” Mann said.
The newly introduced syllabus, designed by Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee-led J-PAL South Asia, aims to equip over 8 lakh students across 3,658 government schools with knowledge and decision-making skills to resist substance abuse. According to officials, the curriculum will later be expanded to include private schools and colleges.
Mann stated that the key objective is to educate children about the dangers of drugs during their formative years. “We are not stopping at books. Lecturers, doctors and motivators will also visit schools to inform and engage students on the harmful effects of drugs,” he added.
Despite persistent rain, teachers from six adjoining districts — Fazilka, Ferozepur, Moga, Muktsar, Faridkot and Bathinda — were in attendance at the launch event. Official sources later confirmed that the educators had been instructed to attend the programme.
The Punjab Government’s latest move comes amid continuing efforts to dismantle what it claims is a deeply entrenched drug network with political protection. The rollout of this curriculum marks both a symbolic and practical step toward preventing the next generation from falling into the grip of addiction.
