Harbhajan Singh Video Row: AAP Says Viral Clip Not From Punjab
Chandigarh, August 11: A viral video shared by former cricketer and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh has ignited a fresh political firestorm over drug abuse in Punjab, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party accusing him of circulating misleading footage to defame the state.
What Harbhajan Singh Shared
In a post on X, Harbhajan shared a clip showing two turbaned men appearing disoriented and struggling to stand, and linked it to the state’s drug problem. “It is painful to see the condition of Punjab,” he wrote in an emotional message, expressing concern over the condition of the state’s youth and questioning the government’s handling of the narcotics menace.
He said Punjab’s young generation deserved a better future and called for “honesty, accountability and immediate action” to tackle the growing problem of drugs. Referring to the state’s heritage, the BJP MP said Punjab, once known for its progress, courage and hard work, should not be allowed to fall victim to drug addiction.
After the clip went viral, several social media users linked it to the so-called “zombie drug” and claimed the men were under the influence of narcotics.
AAP’s Sharp Rebuttal
The post drew a quick and sharp rebuttal from Punjab Cabinet Minister Dr Baljit Kaur, who strongly rejected Harbhajan Singh’s claims and accused him of sharing content that was not verified. She claimed the footage was actually from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan and not from Punjab.
The minister alleged that the BJP leader was attempting to defame Punjab for political reasons and accused him of trying to please his political leadership by circulating an unrelated video. She said linking the clip to Punjab without verification was irresponsible and harmful to the state’s image.
So far, neither the exact origin of the footage nor the identities of the men seen in the video have been independently confirmed.
Drug Issue Back at Centre of Punjab Politics
The controversy has once again pushed the issue of drug abuse to the centre of Punjab’s political discourse. The BJP has used the video to question the AAP government’s anti-drug record, while the ruling party has accused the BJP of spreading misinformation and tarnishing Punjab’s reputation.
Drug abuse has long been one of the most emotive issues in Punjab politics. Successive governments — including the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance and the current AAP regime — have made tackling the narcotics trade a central promise, but the issue has remained a recurring flashpoint in every election campaign.
Despite the lack of verified information about the clip, the viral post has intensified the political debate, with both parties continuing to trade accusations over the handling of the state’s drug crisis.
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