'Udta Punjab' row an attempt to malign Punjab's image: Badal

Image
Press Trust of India Thane (Maha)
Last Updated : Jun 17 2016 | 7:02 PM IST
Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today said the controversy surrounding the film "Udta Punjab" is an attempt to malign the image of Punjab and its people.
Badal, while talking to reporters after participating in a BJP programme here, termed infiltration as a major problem which is taking place in spite of high vigilance on the border.
"Drug abuse is not the only problem coming from the other side of the border. We have also faced problem of infiltration from the border region," Badal, an MP of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, said.
She alleged that it ("Udta Punjab" controversy) was a "clearcut attempt to vilify the state and spread false views about it" and said, "One knows who has funded the film."
On Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi claiming that "seven out of 10" youths in Punjab were drug addicts, she said, "If this was the case, why did Congress-led governments not check the menace for so many years?"
On drug menace, the Union minister said it was a worldwide phenomenon and even the US cannot control the problem.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jun 17 2016 | 7:02 PM IST

Next Story