Punjab Police dispute Harbhajan Singh's claim over viral drug abuse video
Former cricketer and BJP MP Harbhajan Singh faced criticism after sharing a video alleging drug abuse in Punjab, which authorities say was filmed in Rajasthan. The incident has sparked political tensions between the BJP leader and AAP Cabinet Minister.
Punjab Police dispute Harbhajan Singh's claim over viral drug abuse video
Rajya Sabha MP and former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh drew criticism from Punjab authorities after sharing a viral video that he claimed showed the state's worsening drug crisis, only to have Punjab Police clarify the footage was not from the state.
The video, which Singh posted on social media platform X, showed two turbaned men appearing disoriented and struggling to stand on a roadside. In his post written in Punjabi, Singh expressed alarm over what he described as the deteriorating condition of Punjab's youth due to drug addiction and called for urgent action to protect young people from substance abuse.
Punjab Police subsequently fact-checked the claim, stating that the video was recorded in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, a city near the India-Pakistan border that has experienced drug trafficking problems. The footage had no connection to Punjab Police, authorities said.
The video was widely circulated on social media, with users linking it to substances including xylazine mixed with synthetic opioids like fentanyl, commonly referred to as the "zombie drug." Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer typically used for animals such as horses.
Political tensions escalate
Dr. Baljit Kaur, Punjab's Cabinet Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development representing the Aam Aadmi Party, strongly objected to Singh's post. Kaur accused the MP of misleading the public and damaging Punjab's reputation by sharing the video with false context.
The minister suggested Singh was attempting to please his party leadership, a pointed reference to the former cricketer's recent political transition. Singh, who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by AAP from Punjab in 2022, switched to the BJP in April 2026 along with six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs. At the time of his departure from AAP, Singh stated he felt his concerns, including those about Punjab's drug problem, were not being heard or acted upon by the party.
However, Sri Ganganagar's Superintendent of Police Hari Shankar rejected Punjab Police's assertion that the video originated in his district, stating that the footage was not connected to Sri Ganganagar and claiming the youths shown were from Punjab. This conflicting account between the two police departments has added another layer of complexity to the dispute.
Context of Punjab's drug crisis
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing concerns about substance abuse in Punjab. A 2019 national survey estimated that over 6.97 lakh children aged 10-17 years and over 63.6 lakh adults in Punjab were using various substances including opioids.
Punjab authorities have intensified enforcement efforts in recent years. Between March 1, 2025, and July 6, 2026, Punjab Police registered 51,516 FIRs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and arrested 67,519 people.
The incident highlights the sensitive nature of Punjab's drug problem, which continues to generate strong reactions and political accusations across party lines.
