Drugs divide Punjab sports fraternity
POLL ISSUE Many sportspersons contesting the assembly elections are campaigning against the narcotics menace affecting the state’s youth
CHANDIGARH: In the run-up to the Punjab assembly elections, the sports fraternity seems to be divided over how serious a menace drugs are in the state.
If the current crop is glorifying the government over youth and sports and downplaying the drugs issue, former sporting greats, who are already in politics or will be testing the waters in the elections, are cornering the SAD-BJP government on the drugs and youth issues.
Since the time of release of Bollywood movie ‘Udta Punjab’ in June 2016, the issue of drugs has taken centrestage and is now the most talked about by all opposition parties, while the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) –Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been trying to play it down.
To make up for the loss of the government’s image over the drugs menace, the Parkash Singh Badal government has taken the help of top sportspersons employed with Punjab Police.
Former hockey captains Rajpal Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh, drag flicker Jugraj Singh, Arjuna awardee wrestler Palwinder Cheema, Olympian shooter Avneet Sidhu and Commonwealth Games medalist discus thrower Harwant Kaur have been featured in professionally-made videos by the state government projecting its achievements on the youth and sports front.
The videos are running in multiplexes across the state, highlighting the sports infrastructure, how the government is helping the youth achieve excellence in sports and questioning the drugs menace issue in the state.
Many sporting greats, who are contesting the elections or eyeing tickets, are also highlighting the drug issue in their political rallies and showing concern for the state’s youth.
“I wouldn’t blame the sportspersons who are being featured in the advertisements made by the government and glorifying them, as they all are government employees and have limitations. They are left with no other choice than to toe the government line,” says former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh, who was the director for sports before quitting his job to enter the political arena.
He recently quit the SAD and along with former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu formed a political front ‘Awaaz-EPunjab’.
“Everybody knows the real issues concerning Punjab, especially our youth. No one can deny the drug menace in the state. It is the result of total administrative and social failure,” adds Pargat.
Triple Olympian wrestler Kartar Singh, who is an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from Tarn Taran, says, “The drugs are one of the biggest problems of the state and it will be an issue in the elections. Because of the drugs our youth is moving in wrong directions.”