Make ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ a mass movement through public participation: Padma Shri Jitender Singh Shunty
Punjab becomes first state to bar hospitals from withholding bodies over unpaid bills, says Shunty
Babushahi Bureau
Banga/Balachaur (SBS Nagar), August 22, 2026: Calling for greater public participation in the fight against drug abuse, Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission Member and Padma Shri awardee Jitender Singh Shunty on Saturday urged people across Punjab to join the state government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign and help turn it into a mass movement.
Shunty made the appeal while conducting open hearing camps at Banga and Balachaur in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. The first camp was held at Swami Roop Chand Jain Model Senior Secondary School, Banga, and the second at Kuldeep Palace, Balachaur.
During the camps, Shunty heard grievances of residents and issued directions to officials on the spot for prompt redressal of complaints.
Describing the government’s anti-drug campaign as an important initiative, Shunty said eliminating drug abuse required coordinated efforts by the government, police, civil administration, voluntary organisations and the public.
“Mass participation can transform ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ into a public movement,” he said, appealing to people from all sections of society to actively participate in the campaign.
Punjab bars hospitals from withholding bodies over unpaid bills
Highlighting the Commission’s intervention in protecting the dignity and rights of deceased persons, Shunty said Punjab had become the first state in the country to issue orders making it mandatory for hospitals to release the bodies of deceased persons even when medical bills remain unpaid.
He said the order had been issued by the Punjab Government following suggestions made by the Human Rights Commission.
Shunty warned that strict legal action would be taken against hospitals found withholding bodies because of pending dues. He also directed the Health Department to ensure effective implementation of the order through regular inspections and adequate mortuary facilities.
He said the Commission had also issued an advisory to facilitate free cremation for economically weaker families and ensure proper arrangements for preserving bodies in mortuaries as per protocol.
NGOs urged to act as ‘eyes and ears’ of Commission
Shunty urged NGOs and voluntary organisations to work closely with the administration and act as the “eyes and ears” of the Commission by identifying and reporting cases of human rights violations.
He said the Commission was holding open hearing camps across Punjab to increase awareness about human rights and ensure that people could access justice at the grassroots level.
He informed residents that the Commission has a dedicated WhatsApp helpline at 9855475547 and an online complaint portal at www.pshrc.net, where people can submit complaints along with supporting documents.
Shunty said genuine complaints would be taken up promptly by the Commission.
He also said awareness about human rights had increased significantly, with the Commission now receiving more than 500 complaints a day, compared with around 40-50 complaints earlier.
The Commission member introduced its core team working at the grassroots level to assist people with human rights-related concerns. He said more than 350 members have been added to the state-level core group, which is working to protect human rights.
He also introduced the Commission team constituted under ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, which is working in coordination with the police and civil administration to address drug abuse.
Kataria highlights government’s anti-drug campaign
Earlier, welcoming Shunty to Balachaur, MLA Balachaur Santosh Kataria appreciated the Commission for conducting an open hearing camp at the grassroots level.
She highlighted various initiatives of the Punjab Government, particularly those aimed at protecting citizens’ rights.
Describing ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ as a major crackdown against drug abuse, Kataria said the campaign had produced encouraging results and claimed that the government’s multi-pronged strategy had weakened the drug network in the state.
She also appealed to people to participate actively in the campaign and contribute to efforts aimed at eliminating drugs from society.
Additional Commissioner Ramanjeet Singh, SDM Amanjyot Kaur, SDM Balachaur Sunil Phogat, SP SBS Nagar Sarabjit Singh Bahiya, representatives of various departments, NGO members, Sarpanches and Panches were also present during the programmes.