The ritual of burning Ravana, the symbol of evil, unfolded at Ludhiana’s Ramlila grounds as Amit Shah lit the effigy, echoing a centuries‑old tradition of triumph over sin. The act, performed on Tuesday, was a public statement that the government will tackle drug addiction like it tackles mythic demons. The festival, a cornerstone of the Hindu calendar, drew thousands of pilgrims and local officials.
After the ceremony, Shah met with families who had lost sons to drug‑related violence. He spoke with relatives of three men, expressing sympathy and vowing to seek justice. The Home Minister said the pain of these families is a reminder that drug trafficking continues to claim lives.
Shah cited the Punjab government’s recent transfer of one murder case to the CBI and urged it to hand over the remaining two. He promised that once the central agency takes over, even powerful suspects will be brought to trial. The minister emphasized that the CBI’s reputation for impartial investigations would pressure the state to act swiftly.
On Tuesday, Shah announced a target of a drug‑free Punjab by December 31, 2029, echoing the nation’s broader anti‑drug campaign. He urged citizens to report drug activity on the Narcotics Control Bureau’s toll‑free line.
Later, the minister visited the village of Toor Banjara in Sangrur, meeting the family of Gulzar Singh, a daily‑wage worker who died by suicide after alleged harassment. Shah promised action against Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and police officials.