AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang slams the Centre’s Health Security and National Security Cess Bill 2025, calling it illogical and accusing the government of promoting tobacco.

During the debate on the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill 2025 in Parliament, Malvinder Singh Kang, a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a member of parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib, launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led federal government.

Kang questioned the Bill’s justification, claiming that by associating dangerous goods like tobacco and pan masala with “national security,” the government is making a nasty joke with the population. He joked that, whereas we had previously thought that our valiant military protected the country, pan-tobacco vendors would now assert that they were defending India as a result of this bill.

According to MP Kang, the topic is incredibly ludicrous and contradictory. He claimed that although our mighty Indian Army guards India’s borders, the government is sending the message that paying a pan-masala tax is “securing the nation” by introducing such a bill. He said that a pan store owner can claim that the border is safeguarded tomorrow because he pays taxes.

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According to Kang, decent sports facilities and a healthy diet—rather than tobacco, which is widely regarded as harmful to one’s health—are the keys to achieving health security. He cited Sikh history to demonstrate how much tobacco is frowned upon in Sikhism, stating that even Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s horse stopped when it saw a tobacco field. However, it is being exalted by the government.

Kang also made fun of the BJP’s “Gujarat Model.” What steps is the government taking to combat these powerful individuals, he added, given that drugs valued at millions of crores are seized from Gujarat’s Mundra Port and subsequently distributed throughout the nation? He brought up the subject of Punjab, pointing out that the state and Pakistan share a 750-kilometer border. Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister, is calling for its modernization. Kang questioned whether Punjab’s border would be secured with the money raised from this cess.

Additionally, he took issue with the Bill’s premise that costs won’t be greatly impacted. According to Kang, this suggests that the government supports the expansion of the pan-tobacco industry and encourages individuals to use inexpensive alcohol.

The government is centralizing taxes through the GST and other procedures, Kang said in closing. He insisted that the Center specify exactly how much of the money collected from this cess goes to the states. He advised the government that instead of promoting goods like tobacco and pan masala and acting as though they protect the country, it should concentrate on enhancing sports facilities and dietary improvements if it genuinely wants to promote health and national security. This bill has to be reexamined by the government.