Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday urged Punjabi artistes, singers, dramatists, and filmmakers to play a proactive role in complementing the state government's efforts to combat the drug menace.
Capt Amarinder, interacting with noted Punjabi comedians Jaswinder Bhalla, Karamjit Anmol and Bal Mukund Sharma, asked them to use their popularity with people to bring about the much-needed change on this count.
These artistes, being the heartthrobs of millions of viewers who followed them on social media platforms like Facebook and Whatsapp, could help in changing the people’s perception towards drugs by leveraging their massive outreach, the Chief Minister asserted.
Reiterating his firm commitment to combat the challenge posed by drug abuse, Capt Amarinder stated that the role of the artiste fraternity was of paramount significance as they were capable of prevailing upon the common man in an emotional and persuasive manner, especially at a critical juncture when several innocent youth were falling prey to drugs.
Expressing concern over the alarming trend of violence cult in Punjabi songs, Capt Amarinder suggested that a healthy and positive content should be encouraged on the social media to discourage such negative propaganda.
He exhorted the artistes and singers to evolve a consensus amongst themselves not to promote gun culture, obscenity and vulgarity in songs and videos which allure innocent impressionable minds towards crime and hatred.
To overcome this problem, the Chief Minister advised the artistes to create jingles, promos, short films and documentaries to imbibe the spirit of goodwill, love, compassion, and brotherhood in the society. Such a move would go a long way in changing the cultural mindset of the people, he added.
Taking part in the deliberation, IG Bathinda Range MF Farooqui apprised the Chief Minister about the steps initiated by the district police to bring awareness amongst the masses about drug abuse.