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Campaign against bribing voters with narcotics
By Our Staff Correspondent
LUDHIANA, JAN. 26. The good old saying, ``religion is the opium of the masses'', could well be amended in Punjab, especially during elections, which tend to be used by unscrupulous politicians to subvert the democratic process. Over the years, some of these politicians have done all they could to prove that ``opium is the religion of the masses.''
According to reports in the media here, police in Bathinda district have seized 2,614 kg of `poppy husk' in January so far, which is more than half the 4,721 kg recovered in all of last year. The police are aware of the routes from Rajasthan where opium is sold at government-controlled vends. One such route is through the Lambi constituency in Muktsar, where the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, is in the fray.
Another report said a middle-aged man died in Kila Raipur after he consumed excessive liquor, which was being distributed free.
According to information available here, political parties had yet to start free distribution of liquor and other intoxicants among the voters, though ``facilities'' were being provided to political workers and supporters.
However, the devious tactics of politicians to entice voters in Punjab, are in for some stiff opposition, if a ``morcha'' (agitation) launched by a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) has its way. The movement was launched in October as an awareness campaign and seems to be gaining popularity, especially women.
The unique ``morcha'' launched by the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle (GGSSC), a socio-religious organisation, is aimed at opposing the use of intoxicants such as alcohol, but is targeted to prevent distribution of all kinds of narcotics and drugs to lure voters.
According to unofficial estimates, at least 60 per cent of the men in Punjab are addicted to some intoxicant.
The Director of the Health Services of the GGSSC, Sarabjeet Singh, said the movement had adopted a three-pronged approach of mobilising the public, putting pressure on politicians and keeping contact with officials of the Election Commission and senior bureaucracy.
Mr. Singh claimed that as many as 1,200 religious, social, professional and youth organisations were supporting them and 50 candidates from different parties had signed the declaration, promising not to use intoxicants to bribe the voters.
He said the State had been divided into 11 zones, each with four to five constituencies, where different activities such as holding corner meetings and distribution of literature were in full swing. ``Perhaps our campaign is at a higher pitch than any other party,'' he added.
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