Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
A fresh political controversy has erupted in Punjab after former cricketer and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh shared a viral video on social media platform X showing two turbaned men allegedly in an intoxicated condition. The post has triggered a war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party over the issue of drug abuse in Punjab.
Sharing the video, Harbhajan Singh expressed concern over the condition of Punjab’s youth and questioned the state government’s handling of the drug 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 narcotics.
In an emotional message posted on X, Harbhajan Singh wrote that it was painful to see the condition of Punjab and appealed for efforts to save the state and its youth from the grip of drugs. He said Punjab, once known for its progress, courage and hard work, should not be allowed to fall victim to drug addiction.
The video shared by the BJP leader shows two turbaned men appearing disoriented and struggling to stand properly. After the clip went viral, several social media users linked it to the so-called “zombie drug” and claimed that the men were under the influence of narcotics.
However, Punjab Cabinet Minister Dr Baljit Kaur strongly rejected Harbhajan Singh’s claims and accused him of sharing misleading content. She said the video was actually from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan and not from Punjab.
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.
At present, there has been no independent confirmation regarding the origin of the video or whether the men seen in the footage were actually intoxicated.
Despite the lack of verified information, the viral clip has intensified the political debate surrounding Punjab’s drug problem. The BJP has used the video to question the AAP government’s anti-drug efforts, while the ruling party has accused the BJP of spreading misinformation and tarnishing Punjab’s reputation.
The controversy has once again brought the issue of drug abuse to the centre of Punjab’s political discourse, with both parties continuing to trade accusations over the handling of the state’s drug crisis.
