Karnataka: “Pan Masala, Gutka To Be Banned In Karnataka If Found Intoxicating Substances Blended In Them,” Says CM
“As long as the country's borders stays open, no matter what you do locally, the idea of drug-free Bharat is impossible without impenetrable border security”: D K Shivakumar
BENGALURU: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday assured to ban the sale of all types of pan masala, gutka and chewing tobacco products if reports of intoxicating substances being mixed into pan masala, gutka, areca nut and other such products engineered and sold to give “a drug-like high’ to users, are found to be true. However, he stated he has specific information on intoxicating substances mixed into pan masalas, gutka, areca nut and such other products.
Pointing fingers at the Union Government over action needed at border-level action to deal with drug menace, Shivakumar said “As long as the country's borders stays open, no matter what you do locally, the idea of drug-free Bharat is impossible without impenetrable border security.”
Addressing the gathering at the 31st Foundation Day of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and ‘Drug-Free India Conclave’ held at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister used a “tap and bucket” analogy to underline that enforcement at State level alone not be enough to stop drug menace and stated “The drug menace in the country is like a tap and a bucket. If borders are open like a tap and the bucket fills up regularly no matter what you do locally.”
Karnataka, he said, established a dedicated Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) in 2025 to hunt down trafficking networks and such efforts cannot succeed if borders remain compromised.
“Building a drug-free Karnataka is our goal. We are organizing programmes in this regard,” he said and stated “Preventing drug-menace is a major challenge and let us all unite to ensure that the younger generation does not fall into the trap of drug addiction.”
The Chief Minister wanted youths “to master the power of first refusal when facing peer pressure (over use of drugs)” and asked them “to decide their answer before the moment arrives.”
“The use of drugs takes you to hell disguised as heaven. Be careful of momentary joy,” he cautioned the students/youths.
