Punjab is once again confronting an uncomfortable truth about its deteriorating law and order situation and the recent spate of violent incidents has only sharpened public anxiety. The killing of Lucky Oberoi, the brazen attack on senior leader Manoranjan Kalia and an assault on a sitting mayor are not isolated aberrations but alarming indicators of a deeper institutional failure. These incidents collectively point to a state where criminal confidence is rising while the authority of the state appears to be receding, leaving citizens fearful and governance visibly shaken.
What makes the current situation particularly disturbing is not merely the occurrence of crime, which any society must contend with, but the pattern of violence targeting public figures and representatives. When political leaders and mayors are attacked in broad daylight, it sends a chilling message to ordinary citizens about their own safety. If those with security cover and political visibility are vulnerable, the question naturally arises about the fate of the common man navigating Punjab’s streets without protection or influence.
The Aam Aadmi Party government came to power in Punjab promising a new model of governance, rooted in transparency, efficiency and zero tolerance for crime. Nearly two years into its tenure, those promises ring hollow. Instead of a decisive administrative response, Punjab has witnessed a worrying drift marked by reactive policing, delayed investigations and an apparent lack of coordination between intelligence agencies and the political executive. The result is an atmosphere where criminals feel emboldened and accountability seems optional.
Equally troubling is the government’s tendency to deflect blame rather than accept responsibility. Each major incident is followed by familiar explanations pointing towards legacy issues, central agencies or political conspiracies. While historical challenges cannot be denied, governance demands ownership, not excuses. Law and order is a state subject, and the constitutional responsibility rests squarely with the elected government. Persistent evasion only deepens public mistrust and signals administrative weakness.
Punjab’s social fabric, already strained by unemployment, drug abuse and economic stagnation, cannot withstand prolonged insecurity. Violence in such a context has a cascading effect, discouraging investment, disrupting social harmony and reinforcing a sense of decline. The AAP government’s inability to project authority has allowed local criminal networks and extortion rackets to resurface with renewed confidence, reversing years of hard-won gains made by security agencies through sustained effort.
Another serious concern is the apparent politicisation of the police force. Frequent transfers, public reprimands and political interference have demoralised officers on the ground. A police force that operates under constant political pressure cannot function with professionalism or independence. Instead of empowering law enforcement with resources and autonomy, the government has chosen optics and public relations over structural reform, weakening the very institutions meant to protect citizens.
The attack on Manoranjan Kalia and the assault on a mayor also underline a dangerous erosion of political civility. Punjab has a long tradition of intense political competition, but violence was never allowed to replace democratic engagement. The current climate suggests that the state is slipping towards a normalization of intimidation, where disagreement is met with force rather than debate. Such a trajectory is incompatible with democratic governance and threatens the legitimacy of the political process itself.
The government’s communication strategy has further aggravated the crisis, with ministers appearing more invested in defending their image than addressing ground realities. Press conferences often substitute for policy and social media outrage replaces sustained administrative follow up. This approach trivialises serious crimes and insults the intelligence of a population that demands results, not rhetoric.
Silence or selective outrage from the leadership after major incidents reinforces the perception that political convenience has overtaken moral responsibility. In a border state with a sensitive security environment, such complacency is not merely irresponsible but dangerous, risking long term instability that could have repercussions beyond Punjab’s boundaries. History will judge this indifference harshly and citizens will remember failures clearly.
Public anger is therefore not misplaced. Citizens expect more than symbolic arrests or routine assurances after every incident. They expect a coherent security strategy, visible policing, swift justice and clear political direction. The AAP government’s failure to articulate such a vision has created a vacuum, one that is being filled by fear, rumours and growing cynicism about the state’s future.
Punjab stands at a critical juncture. Continuing on the present path risks entrenching lawlessness as a norm rather than an exception. The AAP government must recognise that governance is not about slogans or social media narratives, but about hard administrative choices and unwavering commitment to public safety. Until that realisation translates into action, incidents like the killing of Lucky Oberoi and attacks on political leaders will remain grim reminders of a state adrift and of a government that has failed its most basic duty to protect its people.
