New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday reiterated his government’s policy of considering drug abusers as “victims” but said those who trafficked in drugs would not be spared.
Responding to a discussion in Lok Sabha on drug abuse, Shah said: “Our government’s policy is very clear — those consuming drugs are victims. We should be sensitive towards them and provide them a conducive atmosphere for rehabilitation. But those involved in drug-trafficking should not be spared.”
During the deliberation, however, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Rahul Shewale mentioned actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death in June 2020, alleging that the film star had fallen victim to the drug menace.
“I want to say a few things in the context of Mumbai and the movie industry,” said Tiwari, who is the MP from North-East Delhi.
“Some people have spread misinformation that drugs make your body fit, can help you work long hours, can help relieve tension. These people have very beautifully hatched a conspiracy to ruin the youth, artists and actors in the country and turn them into drug addicts. The proof of this is in the form of a man like Sushant Singh Rajput whom we have lost,” he added.
(Balasahebanchi) Shiv Sena MP from the Shinde faction, Rahul Ramesh Shewale, who represents Mumbai South-Central, asked about the status of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) investigation in the Sushant Singh Rajput case.
“During that time, there were inquiries at three levels (in the Sushant case). The Mumbai Police had done its inquiry, the Bihar Police had done its inquiry and the CBI had done its inquiry. But many questions remain,” Shewale said.
“First, what is the status of the CBI investigation? Has the CBI come to a conclusion on the reason behind his death? There were marks of a scuffle and the use of a stun gun on Sushant’s body. Have the telephone conversations between Sushant Singh Rajput and his former manager Disha Salian been investigated?” he asked.
“Has Rhea Chakraborty’s phone record been investigated and is it true that she was in touch and was friends with a big leader in Maharashtra?” Shewale further said.
Shah attacks states for curbing powers of central agencies, BSF
Amit Shah also said Wednesday that drugs were being used to promote terrorism in the country.
“Our government has a zero-tolerance policy towards the issue of drugs. Those countries promoting terrorism in our country are using the profits from drugs for the same. The presence of this dirty money also gradually hollows our economy,” Shah said.
He added the drug menace was a serious problem that was destroying generations.
The Union Home Minister also hit out at states for not cooperating with central agencies who are trying to deal with the drug menace.
“Borders are the responsibility of the central government, but when we give rights to the BSF, it’s said that the rights of states are being taken away. How will the BSF work there? The BSF seizes drugs but doesn’t have the right to file a case. Those politicising this issue are promoting drug trafficking,” Shah said.
‘Some NGOs want to upset Indian society’
Amit Shah also attacked the Congress in Parliament Wednesday for criticising the government’s decision to cancel FCRA (Foreign Contribution Act) clearance to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
He told the principal Opposition: “There are NGOs which have FCRA clearance. But these NGOs are those who want to strengthen India. There are some other NGOs who want to upset Indian society. The policies of the Indian government cannot be the same for both.
“Those who don’t follow the FCRA laws will be strictly dealt with. There will be no leniency. The stream of money coming from abroad will be monitored by the government. You’ve done this a lot when your government was in power. This is the Narendra Modi government. We won’t allow a single rupee from abroad that can be used to end the country.”
While Shah was making his statement, the Opposition benches registered their protest, asking if the funding behind PMCARES would also be investigated.
The minister warned: “NGOs like Chinmaya Mission, Brahmakumari, Art of Living, Nirankari Mission and many other spiritual and social organisations are engaged in this mission (of rehabilitating those on drugs). They will face no problems. They also do not have any issues with the FCRA law. But those who want to change the demography of the country and want to use FCRA for the same, will not be allowed to do so under law.”
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