Paper short abstract:

This paper seeks to shed light on the relationship between drugs and politics in Punjab. It examines how low ranking politicians distribute opiates during elections and also at how they are indirectly involved in the trade through protection rackets.

Paper long abstract:

According to press reports, up to eighty percent of Punjab's youth is on drugs, ranging from smack, opium and poppy husk to synthetic pharmaceutical drugs. According to widespread conspiracy theories, the Indian central wants to weaken the Sikhs and prevent them from claiming their rights by getting them hooked onto drugs. This paper seeks to shed light on the relationship between drugs and politics. It examines how low ranking politicians distribute opiates during elections and also at how they are indirectly involved in the trade through protection rackets. More specifically, it looks at how Jat sarpanches and their allies mediate between lower caste smugglers, the police and the courts. While not being directly involved in smuggling my paper shows how these political brokers gain both votes and money by 'protecting' Scheduled Caste smugglers in their areas. I examine how these rackets expose smugglers as criminals while allowing powerful politicians to appear clean.