AMRITSAR – The Sant Samaj, a conglomerate of prominent Sikh religious bodies, led by Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal, is all set to launch a crusade against drug addiction in Punjab, through its constituents, who enjoy mass support in the state.
The decision was taken at a meeting of Sant Samaj recently, attended by heads and representatives of various Sikh organizations, including Nanaksar Sampardya, Rara Sahib Sampardya, Uddasin, Nirmalae, Sewa Panthi, Nihang organizations, Kar Sewa Wala Babas, said chief of Sant Samaj, Harnam Singh Khalsa on Tuesday.
Talking to TOI, he expressed hope about bringing awareness against the perils of drug abuse by youth, and said that they have decided to reform drug addicts through religious preaching and guidance.
“The aim is to divert minds towards religion, creative activities and making them realize their responsibilities towards their families and society, besides extending a helping hand to them,” he said, adding that he himself had started delivering discourses to drug addicts twice a day in villages for the past one week.
“We are hopeful of getting government assistance also since we had extended support to SAD (B) in both SGPC and assembly elections on condition of support to eradication of drug addiction and unemployment from Punjab, besides helping debt-ridden farmers,” said Khalsa.
He said preachers of various factions of Sant Samaj, who were directly linked with rural youth, understood the local issues better, which the government officials didn’t know. “A preacher can help drug addicts overcome the problems of body, mind and spirit which a de-addiction centre can’t do,” he said.
Khalsa said he had convened another meeting of Sant Samaj to give formal shape to their movement against drug addiction.
