‘Those made protectors have become predators,’ says BJP, targeting Punjab’s AAP government

BJP leader Tarun Chugh from BJP. File

| Photo Credit: ANI

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday (August 8, 2026) accused Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of exacerbating the State’s law-and-order situation, claiming that “those who were made protectors have themselves become predators, devouring Punjab’s economy, peace, and resources”.At a press conference, BJP leader Tarun Chugh offered a comprehensive critique of the AAP government, claiming that it had become “the country’s biggest example of misuse of State machinery”, with illegal mining, censorship, paper leaks, drug abuse, extortion, and employee mistreatment allegedly creating an atmosphere of fear.Illegal mining accusationsHe accused the Punjab government of “looting” the State’s resources, alleging that illegal mining was continuing across the Ravi river, the Chakki river in Pathankot, and the Kandi region of Anandpur Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, and Garhshankar.Mr. Chugh said that while AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal had promised that a new mining policy would bring ₹20,000 crore annually into the State treasury, only ₹800 crore to ₹900 crore was actually reaching the exchequer. He alleged that a “Mann Tax” of ₹3,500 was being collected from every truck carrying illegally mined material, in a reference to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.Citing judicial intervention, Mr. Chugh said the Punjab and Haryana High Court had sought reports and inspections, while the National Green Tribunal had prohibited mining at 85 sites and stopped desilting of the Ravi in Gurdaspur. He added that ₹1.75 crore in cash, allegedly representing one day’s collection, and ₹91 lakh in a related account were seized during a raid.He alleged that Punjab was facing “undeclared censorship”, with major newspapers, news agencies, and even small YouTube channels being intimidated and harassed.SC community grievancesThe BJP leader also accused the State government of failing Scheduled Caste communities and mistreating employees. Referring to the sanitation workers who have been protesting since May 6, seeking regularisation, higher wages, and restoration of the old pension scheme, he said that they had been “welcomed with batons in Barnala” on July 22.The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission took suo motu cognisance and sought a police report on the allegations made by protesting employees that casteist slurs had been used against them.Mr. Chugh also pointed to attacks on Ambedkar statues, the ₹800-crore post-matric scholarship controversy, and repeated recruitment examination paper leaks, including the latest alleged racket in the pharmacy officer examination.Demands judicial enquiryStating that the BJP would continue raising these issues, he demanded a judicial inquiry into the Barnala lathi-charge and FIRs against guilty officials; a CBI probe into mining-related irregularities; and a high-level inquiry into disputed recruitment examinations, re-examination, and the State Education Minister’s resignation.He also sought immediate payment of employees’ dearness allowances and pension arrears; establishment of special courts under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act; and deployment of an integrated counter-drone system along Punjab’s border. Published - August 08, 2026 07:40 pm IST