Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday criticised former Indian cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh for allegedly sharing a viral video and linking it to Punjab without verifying the facts.
Cheema said that public figures with a large following must act responsibly on social media and avoid posting unverified content that could damage the reputation of a state and its people.
According to the minister, the Punjab Police examined the viral clip and found that it had no connection with Punjab. He claimed the video was actually from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, and linking it to Punjab created a misleading impression about the state and its youth.
“Before sharing any such content, facts should be properly verified. Public representatives should be careful not to spread misinformation that can harm Punjab’s image,” Cheema said in a statement.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader expressed disappointment that Harbhajan Singh, who was sent to the Rajya Sabha to represent Punjab’s interests, had shared content that was later found to be unrelated to the state. He said influential personalities should use their platforms to encourage youth, promote sports, and raise constructive issues rather than circulate misleading material.
Cheema also accused the BJP’s social media machinery of attempting to portray incidents from other states as events from Punjab in order to defame the state. He said such attempts were aimed at weakening the Punjab government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’.
Defending the Bhagwant Mann government, Cheema said the administration was taking strong steps to curb drug abuse and create better opportunities for young people. He added that the government was also investing heavily in sports infrastructure, with thousands of stadiums already built and more under development to provide positive avenues for Punjab’s youth.
