A social media post by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh linking a video of two men appearing to stagger on a roadside to the alleged impact of drugs in Punjab has drawn criticism after the Punjab Police said the video was from Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar.
According to the Punjab government’s communication on the issue, the video was shared in the context of concerns over drug abuse in Punjab. The Punjab Police, however, clarified that the video was not from the state but from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan.
The clarification has triggered a political exchange, with Punjab minister Dr Baljit Kaur alleging that the Rajasthan video was being presented as one from Punjab in an attempt to damage the state’s image. The material provided by the government also said the controversy raised questions over the verification of social media content before it is shared publicly.
AAP questions BJP over video
The issue was also raised by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who questioned why several BJP-linked individuals had circulated the same claim. The AAP said the episode showed the need for greater scrutiny of claims made on social media, particularly on the sensitive issue of drug abuse.
Punjab Police’s clarification was cited by the AAP in its criticism of the post. The police said the video was from Sri Ganganagar, according to the material released by the Punjab government.
{{/usCountry}}Punjab Police’s clarification was cited by the AAP in its criticism of the post. The police said the video was from Sri Ganganagar, according to the material released by the Punjab government.
{{/usCountry}}The controversy comes amid an ongoing political debate over drug abuse in Punjab. The AAP government has said it has taken action against drug-related offences under its ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign.
According to figures cited in the government communication, around 73,541 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act were registered between 2022 and 2026, while around 98,596 arrests were made during the period.
Drug abuse remains political flashpoint
The government has also cited initiatives such as ‘Pind De Pehredar’ and a mobile application as part of efforts to increase participation at the village level in the campaign against drugs.
The AAP communication said drug abuse remains a serious issue in Punjab and that political parties have the right to question the government’s handling of it. However, it argued that such debate should be based on verified incidents, data and developments from the state.
The controversy over the video has therefore shifted attention from the alleged drug-related incident shown in it to the question of its location and how the footage was presented on social media.
The material provided by the Punjab government did not include a response from Harbhajan Singh to the Punjab Police clarification or the allegations made by AAP leaders.