IYC President Uday Bhanu Chib joins tractor rally in Ferozepur against drugs, pays homage to martyrs
Harish Monga
Ferozepur (Punjab), March 22, 2025: In a powerful demonstration against the growing drug menace and unemployment in Punjab, the Indian Youth Congress organized a massive tractor rally in Ferozepur today.
The rally,which commenced at the local Saragarhi Gurdwara Sahib and concluded at the Hussainiwala Martyrs’ Memorial near the India-Pakistan border, saw the participation of thousands of Congress workers.
Leading the rally was Uday Bhanu Chib, the National President of the Indian Youth Congress, who arrived at the historic site to pay tributes to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on the eve of their martyrdom day, observed annually on March 23.
The rally was part of the Youth Congress’s nationwide campaign under the slogan "Naukri Do, Nasha Nahi" (Give Jobs, Not Drugs), aimed at raising awareness about the devastating impact of drugs on the youth and pressing both the central and state governments to prioritize employment over empty promises.
Chib, addressing the media at the Shaheedi Smarak Hussainiwala, emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating, “Across the country, drugs are hollowing out the youth, and in Punjab, this problem has reached alarming levels. The Youth Congress has taken up the responsibility to awaken the youth and is working tirelessly nationwide to make them aware of the perils of drugs.”
Chib sharply criticized the BJP-led central government for failing to curb the influx of drugs, particularly heroin, being smuggled into India via drones from Pakistan. “The central BJP government has proven unsuccessful in stopping the drugs coming across the border. As a result, large consignments of narcotics are being seized almost daily, and our youth are being destroyed,” he said. He also took aim at the Punjab state government, accusing it of betraying its promises to the youth and farmers. “This government came to power with assurances of jobs for the youth and support for farmers, but what happened to the farmers recently is evident to all. It has relied on false promises to cling to power,” Chib remarked, referring to recent clashes between farmers and authorities.
The tractor rally, a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Punjab’s agrarian community and its youth, culminated at the Hussainiwala Memorial, where Chib bowed in reverence at the samadhi of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev.
The site, located near the India-Pakistan border, holds deep historical significance as the cremation ground of the three revolutionaries who were executed by the British on March 23, 1931.
Former Congress MLA from Firozpur, Parminder Singh Pinki, also addressed the gathering, echoing Chib’s sentiments.
“The government has done nothing to protect the youth from drugs. Today, the menace has penetrated so deeply that young lives are being lost every day,” Pinki said. Reinforcing the Congress’s campaign slogan, he added, “Our demand is clear—stop drugs and provide employment. We will continue to awaken the youth of Punjab and the country under this mission.”
Pinki further called on Pakistan’s leadership to halt the drug trafficking from across the border, warning, “The Pakistani Prime Minister must stop this flow of drugs, or they will face serious consequences.”
The event saw a significant turnout of Congress workers, who rallied in support of the cause, highlighting the party’s commitment to addressing the twin crises of unemployment and drug addiction.The Youth Congress vowed to intensify its nationwide campaign, ensuring that the voices of the youth are heard and their futures safeguarded.
As the nation prepares to commemorate the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev tomorrow, today’s tractor rally served as both a tribute to their legacy and a call to action for the present generation.