Chandigarh: A political row erupted in Punjab after BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh posted a video showing two men apparently in an intoxicated state and portrayed it as evidence of the worsening drug problem among the state’s youth.
The video, however, was later identified as having been recorded in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Punjab Police and leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the former cricketer of sharing misleading content and attempting to damage Punjab’s image.
Singh, who left the AAP and joined the BJP in April this year, uploaded the video on X on Monday night. Expressing anguish over what he described as the deteriorating condition of Punjab’s young people, he wrote: “very sad to see the situation of Punjab”. “Punjab and its youth deserve better. This issue needs honesty, accountability, and urgent action – not denial,” said Singh on X.
In another post, the BJP MP said Punjab had witnessed a disturbing transformation and called for immediate steps to tackle drug abuse, as reported by The New Indian Express.
“What have the governments done to Punjab and its Punjabi youth? Where have they brought Punjab to? The Punjab that was once known for its high spirits, courage and bravery, today that same Punjab’s youth has been engulfed by drugs. There is still time – save my Punjab,” said Singh.
His posts drew a sharp response from AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who accused the BJP of spreading a coordinated false narrative about Punjab. Kejriwal also questioned whether the video had been circulated as part of an official political campaign.
“Many BJP people spread this lie together yesterday. Did the order come from the PMO? Does the PMO spread lies in the country?”
Punjab Cabinet minister Baljit Kaur also criticised Singh, alleging that he knowingly passed off footage from Rajasthan as a video from Punjab.
“Look at the desperation to please his political bosses. He is sharing a video from Rajasthan and lying that it is from Punjab.
“You will do anything for ‘BJP ki dalali’, even if it means ruining Punjab’s image. The people of Punjab will never forgive you for this,” she said on X.
Another Punjab Cabinet minister, Harbhajan Singh, accused the BJP of using the clip to portray Punjab in a negative light. The minister, who shares his name with the BJP MP, said the people of the state would not be misled by what he described as political propaganda.
“This video is from Rajasthan, but he lies to ruin the image of the state that gave him his entire career. Punjabis see right through this dirty propaganda,” he said.
Punjab Police joined the controversy by directly tagging the BJP MP in a post on X and clarifying that the footage had not been shot in the state.
“The video being circulated is from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan – not Punjab. We urge users and social media accounts to verify the facts and location before posting misleading content or tagging Punjab Police. Responsible sharing matters. @harbhajan_singh,” it said in a post on X.
The police clarification intensified the political exchange, with AAP leaders accusing the BJP MP of failing to verify the source of the video before using it to comment on Punjab’s drug situation.