In his tenure of nearly 20 months at the helm of Punjab Lok Bhawan, Gulab Chand Kataria has left his mark with his spirited grassroots anti-drug campaign, especially in the most affected border districts of Punjab. Through foot marches, formation of village-level committees and involvement of religious and social organisations, they have created momentum in public awareness, strengthening the Bhagwant Mann government’s year-long crackdown on drug traffickers and drug networks. Known for his practical and solution-focused approach, 81-year-old Kataria, in an independent interview with Hindustan Times, pitched for the anti-conversion law in Punjab, expressed his dissatisfaction over law and order, expressed his openness to amendments in the recently implemented controversial anti-sacrilege law and shared his perspective on important issues on the present and future of Chandigarh. Edited excerpts:
How do you assess the results of the anti-drug campaign being run at the grassroots level in the border areas of Punjab?
When I visited the five border districts for the first time, women were standing with folded hands and tears in their eyes and telling me, ‘Governor sir, we can survive in poverty but please save our children from drugs.’ Through his argument I became aware of the reality firsthand. In Chandigarh, I asked university vice-chancellors and religious leaders how we could work together to create a public-led campaign. This threat requires a joint response from all sections of society; Law alone cannot fight this.
How serious is the drug problem?
“Very scary.” Narcotics are coming from Pakistan through drones. We fought big drones, but now small, silent, invisible drones are being used. On our request, the Center installed anti-drone systems, and the Punjab government spent ₹10 crore on technology, but success is limited as the range is 553 km long. Village level committees have been formed for intelligence. The only solution is a sustained public-led effort. While Radha Swami chief Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon has played a stellar role, as many religious leaders as I would have expected to attend have not yet turned up. People tried to give it a political colour, but there is no political motive behind my reach.
The Bhagwant Mann-led government had launched its ‘Yudh Nasiyan Virudh’ campaign in March last year. Is the state winning its battle?
Certainly, the state government is trying its best and has tightened legal action. No other state has arrested 63,000 people in a year; Properties have been demolished and narcotics seized. The effect of this action is visible. During my rural visits, people said that medicines are no longer as easily available. We have to maintain this momentum. If educational institutions ensure drug-free campuses, the effect will be visible in five years. People will have to start their own movement.
How do you see the current law and order situation in Punjab?
This is not satisfactory. Contract killings, gang wars, bombings and extortion occur almost daily. This has created an atmosphere of fear: ‘There is an atmosphere of fear.’ Even in Chandigarh, there have been broad daylight murders and a bomb blast at the BJP office, forcing us to increase security.
Have you shared your concerns with the Chief Minister?
I have spoken to him (Bhagwant Mann) and DGP (Gaurav Yadav). They cite the number of cases resolved, but human rights bodies often hinder full action against perpetrators. The police seem cautious about litigation. Our police has not been as successful in taking action against criminals as Uttar Pradesh Police has been.
What is your reaction to AAP blaming BJP for the recent blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar?
No political party should stoop so low as to say things that are not in the national interest. People resort to blame to avoid accountability. Law and order should not be a political issue. Punjab is a sensitive border state; All parties must rise above narrow interests to preserve the hard-earned peace that is the foundation of progress.
Why did you approve the new anti-sacrilege bill so quickly, when the previous version was refused approval?
I followed the spirit and intention behind the law. I advised the State Government that there is a need to enact a similar law to protect the sentiments of other religions in order to increase public satisfaction.
Akal Takht and SGPC have objected to some sections?
Amendment is possible if the government considers it necessary. The government can seek advice from people troubled by the new law and find out whether their objections have merit or not. Ego should not come in the way of the purpose of law. The law must be successful.
Some sections are expressing concern over religious conversions. How do you view this issue?
Certainly this is a cause for great concern. If religious conversion threatens changes in demography, it could be a threat to the nation. The state government should seriously consider bringing a law against religious conversion taking advantage of economic or social weaknesses. Some states already have such a law. The way Christianity has established its influence in the border areas of Punjab cannot be ignored. I have traveled many kilometers by road in areas close to the Pakistan border. You cannot even imagine the crowd that gathers from churches on Sunday. It looks like a spread out village fair. A new form of religious conversion has emerged in Punjab. Those who convert to religion neither change their name nor their appearance. People may be converting due to poverty or social discrimination. The Khalsa Panth was founded to eliminate social and caste hierarchy and create the concept of equality in the form of ‘Sangat (congregation)’ and ‘Pangat (langar/community kitchen)’. The lure of free education and health facilities can be another reason for religious conversion. This is despite the state being independent ₹Health insurance of Rs 10 lakh for each family and right to education. But there is a lack of awareness in the backwaters of Punjab.
Your predecessor often had differences with CM Bhagwant Mann. How is your equation with him?
I am a supporter of consultation. When I don’t agree with him, I call him and we sit together. Most of the issues involve the appointment of chancellors or specific bills. On some issues, he may think about my BJP background, but I look at matters not through politics but through what is legally right. When you work in a spirit of accommodation, there is less chance of conflict. In my 45 years of public life, it has been my nature to do only what is in the public interest.
With vehicular traffic increasing rapidly in Chandigarh, a mass rapid transit system has been discussed for a long time, but no solution has emerged. Why is Chandigarh averse to metro rail?
Construction of Metro for Chandigarh alone will not be successful. It is viable only if it connects neighboring cities of Punjab and Haryana, where large numbers of people commute daily. Due to the heritage status of Chandigarh, you cannot have elevated tracks; It must be completely underground. The cost would be so high that unless it was extended outside the city, it would not be viable. We need to ensure whether we will be able to bear the cost. I am not against Metro, but Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh will have to sit together and make efforts. Only then will it be feasible. You must have seen how much time it took to build a bridge (Tribune Flyover). You can well imagine how difficult the construction of the metro will be. The vehicular pressure in Chandigarh is very high. Therefore, until there is no metro, the frequency of buses will have to be increased so that people can get buses at an interval of 10 minutes. We also need a change in mindset – being prosperous doesn’t mean driving everywhere. Importing fuel puts a huge financial burden on the government. We have to find a solution.
Is heritage status becoming a hindrance?
This is true to some extent. But you have to appreciate that because of the strict criteria of heritage status, Chandigarh has been able to preserve its character. Many new cities are established but we have seen that after 10-20 years they are unable to save their character and lose their way. It is a planned city. Our top priority is to keep it as it is and plan the development in such a way that there is minimal interference with the original character. It is also true that legacy restrictions have affected industrial growth and employment. Chandigarh has not developed in the last 15 years. To address this, we are allowing changes that do not tamper with the basic character – such as vertical development and need-based changes in Housing Board flats – that we have proposed to the Centre. We are trying to find solutions to these important issues. We have already resolved half of the 5,000 building violation cases and hope to reach 70%. We are also actively considering converting commercial and industrial properties from leasehold to freehold. If we allow this, the administration will get revenue. Another aspect of the issue is the uncertainty associated with how long they will last. We should give ownership rights with conditions to prevent misuse.
The lack of coordination in the tricity is often highlighted. Should there be a structured platform for inter-city governance?
Chandigarh is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana as well as a union territory. All three stakeholders should sit together to find solutions to the problems faced by the city and plan development for the entire Tricity. The people here are so rigid that they do not want to move even an inch. Despite my efforts, I have not been able to get them to sit together and discuss. Differences can be resolved only through dialogue.
