Congress and BJP members in the Lok Sabha call for unified action to tackle drug menace

Congress General Secretary and MP KC Venugopal speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session
| Photo Credit: Sansad TV

Lok Sabha members from Congress and the BJP on Wednesday (March 12, 2025) raised the issue of the growing drug menace across the country and called for immediate and unified action to tackle the crisis.

Speaking during the Zero Hour, senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha member from Alappuzha K.C. Venugopal underscored the devastating impact of drug abuse, particularly in his home State of Kerala.

“Every day, we wake up to news of drug-related crimes. Parents are terrified, teachers are terrified, and society is terrified. What we are witnessing is not merely data but the helplessness of a society and the silent erosion of our homes,” Mr. Venugopal said.

In the past two months alone, 63 murders in Kerala were linked to drug abuse, he said, adding, “Sons are killing mothers, brothers are killing sisters. Over the past four years, Kerala has recorded over 87,000 drug-related cases, leading to 93,599 arrests.”

Mr. Venugopal said there should not be any glorification of violence in films, which in turn influences young minds.

“I urge the Union government, law enforcement agencies, educators, community leaders, and social workers to join hands and take comprehensive, immediate action. We cannot leave our children to face this tragedy. As elected representatives, beyond political lines, we must address this concern seriously,” Mr. Venugopal asserted.

Echoing him, BJP MP Anurag Thakur acknowledged the gravity of the issue and called for a united effort to eradicate the drug menace.

“The issue raised by Venugopal ji is very serious. The fight against drugs is not just the responsibility of the Central or State governments but also of society, educators, and all stakeholders. We must come together to eliminate drugs… and save our youth, ensuring a secure and empowered future for India,” Mr. Thakur said.