Ravneet Bittu, Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industry, Government of India, today paid homage to the 25 martyrs of the Moga incident at Shaheedi Park, where RSS Swayamsevaks were killed on June 25, 1989.
During the shakha, terrorists opened fire, killing all present. After offering his respects, Bittu visited a gallery displaying photographs of the martyrs and planted trees to commemorate the occasion.
In his speech, Bittu stressed that the ultimate sacrifices of the martyrs should always be remembered and taught to future generations. He brought attention to the ongoing drug crisis plaguing Punjab’s youth and criticised previous administrations, including Congress, Akali Dal, and AAP, for their failure to tackle the issue.
Bittu highlighted the recent drug-related deaths in Moga district and announced that the Union Government will soon inaugurate 16 Narcotics Control Bureau offices across Punjab to fight the drug epidemic. He expressed confidence that, with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Punjab will overcome this crisis.
Bittu censured the current government for their lack of action despite receiving a strong mandate from the people of Punjab. He specifically criticised the Chief Minister, accusing him of ineffectiveness and suggesting that police transfers have exacerbated the drug problem. He also noted the unprecedented scenario of the Chief Minister and his family renting a house in Jalandhar for by-elections, pointing out their desperation. On the topic of Amritpal Singh’s election as a Member of Parliament, Bittu suggested that voters might have mistakenly believed Singh would be released from jail. He emphasised that the law is paramount and that any leader involved in anti-national activities will face justice. Bittu questioned the advantages to voters when their MP cannot perform parliamentary duties.
Reflecting on his own family’s history of martyrdom, Bittu mentioned his grandfather, the late S. Beant Singh, who was assassinated by terrorists. He expressed empathy for the pain and anger of families who have lost loved ones, noting that his grandfather, who was Party President at the time of the massacre, visited the site the very next day.
Commending the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bittu recognised their significant contributions to society-building and reforms, noting that the RSS operates beyond caste and religious distinctions.
