Cong defends Rahul’s remarks on drug menace in state
Saturday, 13/10/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121013/punjab.htm#5
New Delhi : The Congress today rushed to defend AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s statement yesterday that seven out of 10 youths in Punjab were drug addicts and came down heavily on the Akali government for not taking adequate steps to curb the menace.
Rahul’s observation was criticised by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who described the Congress leader as a “national joke” for making derogatory statements about the youth in the state.
Hitting back, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari quoted from an affidavit filed by the Punjab Government in court stating that 70 per cent of youth in Punjab was addicted to drugs. “The Akali government reacted with its classic sense of ignorance and arrogance,” Tewari said, adding that it should apologise for the remarks made yesterday.
He said the state government should thank Rahul for drawing attention to the problem as the SAD Government had refused to take responsibility for the rampant menace.
He asked Badal to explain the measures taken by the state administration to check the increasing cases of drug abuse by the young.
Addressing a rally at Panjab University, Chandigarh, yesterday, Rahul had expressed concern at the enormity of the drug menace in the state, pointing out that 70 per cent of the youth was addicted to drugs.
Rahul spent two days in Punjab (Oct 10, 11) interacting with party cadres and university students.
