JALANDHAR, October 19, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party staged a protest in Jalandhar West on Monday, raising concerns over the alleged spread of drugs, criminal activity and recent deaths of young people in the constituency. The demonstration was led by BJP leader and former Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural, with party workers burning an effigy and raising slogans against the Aam Aadmi Party government.
Addressing the gathering, Angural launched a sharp political attack on Punjab Cabinet Minister and Jalandhar West MLA Mohinder Bhagat and his son Atul Bhagat. He alleged that people involved in drug trafficking, organised crime and illegal property activity were receiving political protection in the constituency.
These are serious allegations made by Angural during a political protest and have not been established as facts through any judicial or investigative finding.
Referring to the approaching Dussehra celebrations, Angural used the burning of an effigy as a symbolic protest against what he described as arrogance in the local political leadership. He said the demonstration was intended to highlight the BJP’s concerns over the functioning of the administration in Jalandhar West.
A major focus of his speech was the government’s anti-drug campaign. Angural alleged that enforcement agencies were taking visible action against smaller operators while influential people involved in larger networks were being spared. He questioned whether the government’s stated zero-tolerance approach was being applied equally across the constituency.
The BJP leader also raised concerns over alleged illegal colonies and other unauthorised activities in the area. He claimed that enforcement action, including demolition drives, was selective and demanded that the administration act uniformly wherever violations were established.
Angural further alleged that drugs were being sold openly in some localities despite police presence and questioned the effectiveness of enforcement at the ground level. He also called for greater scrutiny of complaints involving influential individuals.
No evidence establishing political protection for drug traffickers or criminal groups was presented as part of the claims available from the protest. Such allegations would require examination by the police, vigilance authorities or another competent investigating agency before any responsibility could be determined.
Angural said the BJP would continue raising the issue of drugs and law and order in Jalandhar West and maintained that political pressure would not stop him or his supporters from pursuing the matter.
The protest comes amid wider political debate in Punjab over drug trafficking and public safety. The state government has repeatedly maintained that its anti-drug campaign is targeting trafficking networks and that enforcement action is being taken against those involved in the illegal trade.
At the time of publication, no specific response from Mohinder Bhagat or Atul Bhagat to the allegations made during this protest was available. Their response should be added to the report if issued.
The accusations made during the demonstration remain political claims and should not be treated as findings of wrongdoing unless supported by evidence and established through the appropriate legal process.
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