Chandigarh, August 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Tuesday accused former cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh and other celebrities of allegedly running a social media campaign to defame Punjab, Punjab Police and the state government at the behest of the BJP.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu alleged that videos and claims being circulated on social media were part of a “dirty conspiracy” aimed at portraying Punjab negatively. He accused what he described as “sell-out leaders and celebrities” of helping amplify what he termed false claims.
Pannu specifically referred to a video being circulated by celebrities including Harbhajan Singh and actor Sonu Sood, alleging that it was being presented as footage from Punjab despite actually being from Rajasthan.
“The video being circulated on social media by celebrities such as Harbhajan Bhajji and Sonu Sood, claiming it to be from Punjab, is not from Punjab but from Rajasthan,” Pannu said, alleging that such content was being shared without verification to generate “likes” and “views”.
Taking a political swipe at Harbhajan Singh, Pannu said AAP had honoured him and given him a Rajya Sabha seat, but alleged that he subsequently joined the BJP.
Pannu also questioned the alleged silence of celebrities and political leaders over drug seizures elsewhere, particularly referring to reports concerning the seizure of thousands of kilograms of drugs at Mundra Port in Gujarat. He said drug abuse was a global problem and referred to the FBI’s “Operation Hardball” while accusing the BJP of targeting Punjab over the issue.
Highlighting the Punjab government’s anti-drug measures, Pannu said the campaign was being pursued on the ground under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ initiative. He said Village Defence Committees had been formed, anti-drone systems installed along the border and a Direct App facility provided through which people could share information directly with the Director General of Police and the Chief Minister.
Pannu cited Punjab Police figures for the period from March 1, 2025, to August 9, 2026, saying 56,267 cases had been registered and 75,552 accused named. During the period, he said, police seized 3,575 kg of heroin, 509 kg of smack, 880 kg of opium, 43,271 kg of poppy husk (doda) and more than 95 kg of charas. Drug money amounting to Rs 21.71 crore was also confiscated, he said.
On the origins of Punjab’s drug problem, Pannu blamed the governments in power between 2007 and 2017, alleging that the period had damaged an entire generation. He said the Bhagwant Mann government was working to eradicate the problem and redirect young people towards sports.
Pannu pointed to Punjab’s representation in Indian sport, saying the captains of the men’s and women’s Indian cricket teams and nine members of the Indian hockey team were from Punjab.
He also questioned Harbhajan Singh’s contribution as a sportsperson towards encouraging children in Punjab to take up sports.
Pannu praised Punjab Police, Village Defence Committee members and the people of the state for their role in the anti-drug campaign and said the government and people were united in the effort. He condemned what he described as attempts by Harbhajan Singh and others to defame Punjab.
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