A stark message painted on village walls in Punjab's Bathinda district has reignited public anger over the state's persistent drug menace, putting the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in a tight spot ahead of crucial rural body elections.
Graffiti Highlights Grim Reality in Drug Hotspot
On Sunday, December 1, 2025, residents of Maur Kalan village woke up to find graffiti on at least five walls declaring, "Aethe chitta shareaam vikda hai" (heroin openly sold here). The bold statement, believed to have been painted satirically by locals, articulated a painful truth for the community. The village is officially listed as a drug hotspot in police records.
The graffiti sparked immediate alarm, leading the police to hastily paint over the messages. However, for many villagers, especially women, the words merely echoed their daily reality. They reported that several youths have lost their lives to substance abuse over the years. "Some have died, others' families are shattered," a resident said, calling for urgent intervention.
Police Action and Political Fallout
The timing of the incident is particularly sensitive, with block samiti and zila parishad polls scheduled for December 14. The AAP, which has projected an aggressive "Nasha Mukt Punjab" (drug-free Punjab) campaign, faces significant embarrassment. Party sources suggested internal differences between local groups may have fueled the graffiti to embarrass the government.
On the ground, police authorities detailed their actions. Amneet Kaur Kondal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Bathinda, stated that recent operations in Maur Kalan led to 27 FIRs under narcotics laws, 52 people booked, and the recovery of 142.65 grams of heroin. She highlighted seven cordon and search operations (CASO) resulting in 10 more FIRs, 15 arrests, and the seizure of 54 grams of heroin.
Kondal added that alongside enforcement, efforts are being made for rehabilitation. Five addicts were booked under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act, four were admitted to de-addiction centres, and two were referred to an outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) centre. She claimed sustained operations have caused a 70% reduction in drug availability in the village.
Community Engagement and Past Protests
In response to the graffiti, Bathinda police held a meeting with the Village Defence Committee (VDC) of Maur Kalan, encouraging community participation in the anti-drug drive. The Punjab Police also underscored its state-wide campaign, "Yudh Nashian Virudh" (War Against Drugs), on social media platform X.
This is not the first such protest in Bathinda. On June 3 this year, residents of Bhai Bakhtaur village rallied behind a farmer who put up a banner reading "Sadda pind bikau hai" (Our village is for sale) to protest drug abuse, following an assault on an ex-serviceman who fought against drugs.
The graffiti in Maur Kalan serves as a potent reminder that despite police statistics and government claims, the perception of a rampant drug trade persists among villagers, casting a long shadow over the political landscape as Punjab heads into local polls.
