Chandigarh: A video widely circulated on social media and posted by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh that purported to show two turbaned men behaving erratically under the influence of a so-called "zombie drug" was on Monday identified by Punjab Police as footage from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, not Punjab. The clarification triggered criticism from the state ruling dispensation and renewed debate on political use of unverified material.
Fact-check and official response
Punjab Police posted a clarification on X, stating that the video "is from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan — not Punjab — and has no connection with Punjab Police." The force added that a Punjabi audio track "does not make an incident a Punjab incident" and urged social media users to verify location and facts before sharing or tagging Punjab agencies.
"The video being circulated is from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan—not Punjab—and has no connection with Punjab Police. A Punjabi audio track does not make an incident a Punjab incident." — Punjab Police post on X
Harbhajan Singh had shared the clip with a caption expressing anguish over what he described as the erosion of Punjab's social fabric, saying the state's youth were "besieged by addictions" and appealing to people to "save Punjab's youth." The MP’s post drew scrutiny from users who flagged inconsistencies between the footage and the geographical markers visible in the clip.
Political backlash in Punjab
State leaders reacted strongly after the police fact-check. Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur accused the MP of deliberately sharing footage from another state to portray Punjab in a negative light. In a post on X, she charged that the action reflected a desire to "please his political bosses" and accused him of lying about the video's provenance.
The episode adds to long-standing political sensitivities in Punjab over portrayals of drug abuse in the state. While drug addiction is a recognised concern in several districts, officials and politicians frequently lodge protests when material shared from outside Punjab is attributed to the state, citing damage to its image and the distress it causes families and communities.
What the video shows and the verification
The clip circulated shows two men in turbans behaving erratically by the roadside. Observers on the platform pointed out landmarks and visual cues suggesting the footage was not from Punjab. Punjab Police’s public clarification focused solely on location and the need for verification; it did not comment on the cause of the behaviour seen in the video.
- Subject: Video of two turbaned men behaving erratically
- Shared by: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh on X
- Verified origin: Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, according to Punjab Police
- State reaction: Punjab ministers accused the MP of spreading misinformation
Context and implications for Punjab
Punjab has for years battled a public narrative around drug abuse that affects politics, policing and public health work. Incidents like this one — viral clips misattributed to the state — can affect policy debates, create communal alarm and distract from evidence-based interventions. Punjab’s law-and-order machinery has in the past sought to correct misinformation promptly, mindful of both the social consequences and the political heat such claims generate.
Public-health specialists and community leaders have repeatedly urged that discussions on addiction be guided by verified data and local outreach programmes rather than sensational social-media posts. While the present video’s origin lies outside the state, officials say the episode underlines how easily material from elsewhere can be misrepresented and rapidly amplified.
| Actor | Action | Official response |
|---|---|---|
| Harbhajan Singh (BJP MP) | Shared video alleging Punjab youth affected by 'zombie drug' | Post criticised after location checks |
| Punjab Police | Issued X clarification on video's origin | Requested verification before sharing |
| Baljit Kaur (Cabinet Minister) | Accused MP of deliberately misrepresenting footage | Called the action politically motivated |
How readers should respond
Officials recommend that social-media users cross-check location indicators, look for credible local reporting, and wait for confirmation from police or local authorities before attributing incidents to a particular state. The Punjab Police post serves as a reminder that a Punjabi audio track or accent alone does not establish the filmed location.
The controversy is likely to be referenced in political exchanges in the coming days, as parties contest narratives around law and order and the condition of youth in Punjab. Meanwhile, authorities and community organisations continue work on prevention, treatment and awareness regarding substance abuse — efforts that officials say should not be overshadowed by unverified viral material.
