“Reddy’s allegations deserve scrutiny, but so does his own government’s record. Telangana, particularly Hyderabad, has faced concerns over drug trafficking and substance abuse. Drug-related cases and enforcement operations have repeatedly highlighted the challenge of preventing narcotics from reaching consumers. Concerns about drug use among young people, including students, make it clear that this is not a problem confined to Goa’s beaches, nightlife or party destinations.
The question, therefore, is unavoidable. Why are some young people from Telangana travelling to Goa to consume drugs? What attracts them to these activities? Are they coming because of Goa’s nightlife, the perception of easy access to narcotics, or the belief that they can indulge in activities here without being caught? These questions deserve investigation, not assumptions. There is no justification for stereotyping Telangana’s youth, just as there is no justification for portraying every visitor to Goa as a drug consumer.
But if Reddy is concerned about young people from his state being exposed to drugs in Goa, he should also examine the conditions that drive them towards substance abuse and the networks that may be supplying them. “
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has accused the BJP of turning Goa into a drug hub, claiming that Telangana too has suffered the consequences. But before pointing fingers at Goa, Reddy must answer a simple question: if Goa is the problem, why are young people from Telangana coming here to consume drugs? A destination can offer access, but demand is what keeps an illegal market alive. If people are travelling from Telangana to Goa to consume narcotics, the issue cannot be examined by blaming Goa alone.
Goa has a serious drug problem, and nobody should deny it. Drug trafficking, substance abuse and the dangers faced by young people demand sustained action from the state government and law enforcement agencies. But turning Goa into a convenient political punching bag does little to explain why the trade continues to thrive or why people from across the country seek out places where they believe drugs are available.
Reddy’s allegations deserve scrutiny, but so does his own government’s record. Telangana, particularly Hyderabad, has faced concerns over drug trafficking and substance abuse. Drug-related cases and enforcement operations have repeatedly highlighted the challenge of preventing narcotics from reaching consumers. Concerns about drug use among young people, including students, make it clear that this is not a problem confined to Goa’s beaches, nightlife or party destinations.
The question, therefore, is unavoidable. Why are some young people from Telangana travelling to Goa to consume drugs? What attracts them to these activities? Are they coming because of Goa’s nightlife, the perception of easy access to narcotics, or the belief that they can indulge in activities here without being caught? These questions deserve investigation, not assumptions. There is no justification for stereotyping Telangana’s youth, just as there is no justification for portraying every visitor to Goa as a drug consumer.
But if Reddy is concerned about young people from his state being exposed to drugs in Goa, he should also examine the conditions that drive them towards substance abuse and the networks that may be supplying them. What preventive measures are being taken in Telangana? How effectively are local drug distribution networks being investigated? What support is available to young people battling addiction? These are questions a chief minister should be prepared to answer.
A drug market cannot survive on supply alone. Traffickers may transport narcotics, but consumers sustain the business through demand. If people travel to Goa specifically to purchase or consume illegal substances, the responsibility does not rest solely with the place they visit. The origin of the supply, the movement of the drugs, the role of intermediaries and the behaviour of consumers must all be investigated.
Goa’s government, meanwhile, cannot hide behind this argument. It must intensify action against traffickers, investigate the larger networks behind individual arrests and ensure that enforcement reaches influential people as well as small-time offenders. Citizens deserve evidence that raids and seizures are producing lasting results. The government must also invest in prevention, counselling and rehabilitation rather than treating arrests as the only measure of success.
What Goa does not need is a political blame game in which one chief minister accuses another state while ignoring the wider dimensions of the problem. Interstate drug trafficking requires cooperation between police forces and governments. Goa and Telangana should share intelligence, trace supply chains and take coordinated action against those involved in the trade.
Reddy’s decision to bring religious imagery into the political attack is equally unnecessary. Comparing political opponents to Ravana and presenting one’s own side as Rama does nothing to stop drug trafficking. Religion should not be reduced to a campaign weapon when the issue concerns public safety and the future of young people.
If the Congress believes the BJP has failed Goa, it should present evidence and demand accountability. If the BJP disputes the allegations, it should respond with facts and demonstrate what it has achieved. Neither side should use political rhetoric to distract from the urgent need for action.
Goa must answer for the drugs sold within its borders, but Telangana must answer for the demand originating within its own society. If young people from Telangana are travelling to Goa to consume drugs, Reddy must look beyond political accusations and ask why they are doing so. The real fight is against the drug trade, not against Goa. Young people deserve protection, families deserve answers, and governments must stop passing the blame while the problem persists.
