Punjab Police Fact-Check Harbhajan Singh’s Viral Video

Punjab Police fact-checked a viral video shared by BJP MP Harbhajan Singh, confirming the footage was filmed in Rajasthan rather than Punjab. The clip, which depicts men standing motionless by a roadside in a state described by some as “zombie-like,” was flagged by Singh as evidence of a drug crisis in Punjab.

The controversy began when Harbhajan Singh posted the video to highlight the impact of drug addiction in Punjab. According to reports from The Times of India and Moneycontrol, the Punjab Police intervened to correct the record, stating the footage did not originate from within the state. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also countered Singh’s claims, asserting the video was from Rajasthan.

The footage in question shows individuals in a catatonic or motionless state near a roadway. News18 reported that the clip was specifically linked to Sri Ganganagar, a district in Rajasthan. This geographical correction contradicts the narrative presented in Singh’s post, which associated the imagery with the drug epidemic in Punjab.

Punjab Police and AAP Dispute Video Origin

Punjab Police officials explicitly corrected the claims made by the BJP MP. According to Asianet Newsable, the police department issued a clarification to prevent the spread of misinformation regarding the state’s current drug situation. The agency’s findings indicate that the “zombie drug” scare depicted in the viral clip is not a Punjab-based incident.

Moneycontrol reports that the AAP used the fact-check to challenge Singh’s portrayal of the state, emphasizing that the video was captured in Rajasthan. This dispute centers on the use of the footage to characterize the severity of substance abuse issues in the Punjab region.

Context of the ‘Zombie Drug’ Video

The video has been widely circulated across social media platforms, leading to public concern over the emergence of “zombie drugs”. While the video was used by Singh to flag a crisis in Punjab, the Sunday Guardian noted that the clip is actually from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan.

The discrepancy between the video’s actual location and its presentation by Singh has turned the incident into a point of contention between the BJP and AAP. While the drug crisis remains a significant political and social issue in Punjab, authorities have insisted that this specific piece of evidence is geographically misplaced.