In an unusual show of solidarity, legislators of both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP came together on the Himachal Pradesh Assembly premises in Dharamsala on Friday to protest against the alarming spread of ‘chitta’ in the state.
This rare bipartisan protest is being viewed as a significant political moment, highlighting the severity of the chitta problem in the state.
Leaders from both sides said the fight against synthetic drugs must become a people’s movement, with political parties, families, youth groups and institutions joining hands to protect the future generation.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur jointly led the demonstration, sending out a message that the drug crisis demands a united political response.
Chief Minister Sukhu said the growing drug menace was above political rivalry and required collective action.
“This is not about government or opposition. It is about saving lives. We must stand together,” he said. He added that the government is finalising a statewide action plan, which will include gram sabha meetings in every panchayat and a reward system for citizens who provide credible information on drug networks.
Chief Minister Sukhu said that while the police have carried out large-scale arrests, the administration is also emphasising rehabilitation.
“We are attaching properties of drug offenders. Enforcement alone is not enough—rehabilitation must run parallel,” he added.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who joined the protest, said the government had already launched anti-drug rallies in Shimla and Dharamsala.
Stressing the need for strong coordination between all parties and administrative agencies, he said, “We have to move jointly on this issue.”