AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu accuses Harbhajan Singh and other celebrities of spreading misleading content against Punjab, Punjab Police and the state government.
Punjab E News(PEN News): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu has accused former Indian cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh and other celebrities of running a social media campaign aimed at allegedly defaming Punjab and the state government.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Pannu alleged that misleading videos and claims were being circulated on social media to create a negative image of Punjab, Punjab Police and the government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign.
Baltej Pannu Targets Harbhajan Singh Over Viral Video
Baltej Pannu claimed that a video being shared on social media by celebrities including Harbhajan Singh and Sonu Sood was being presented as an incident from Punjab, whereas, according to him, the video was actually from Rajasthan.
Pannu alleged that the video was being circulated without verifying its location or background and accused those sharing it of attempting to generate views and engagement by portraying Punjab negatively.
AAP Leader Questions Silence Over Drug Seizures Outside Punjab
Pannu also questioned why celebrities and political leaders who, according to him, were highlighting drug-related incidents in Punjab remained silent over major drug seizures reported in other parts of the country.
He said drug trafficking is a global issue and claimed that Punjab is being selectively targeted for political reasons. He referred to drug enforcement operations in different parts of the world and alleged that the BJP was using the issue to target the Punjab government.
Punjab Government Highlights Anti-Drug Campaign
Defending the Mann government’s action against drugs, Baltej Pannu said Punjab has intensified its anti-drug campaign under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann through the Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign.
He highlighted the role of Village Defence Committees in the campaign and said anti-drone systems have also been deployed along sensitive border areas.
According to Pannu, members of the public can share information about drug-related activities with senior authorities, including the DGP and Chief Minister, through the government’s Direct App.
Punjab Police Registers Over 56,000 Drug Cases
Sharing figures presented by the AAP leader, Pannu said that between March 1, 2025 and August 9, 2026, Punjab Police registered 56,267 cases related to drug offences and named 75,552 accused.
He claimed that during the same period, enforcement agencies seized approximately:
- 3,575 kg heroin
- 509 kg smack
- 880 kg opium
- 43,271 kg poppy husk (doda)
- More than 95 kg charas
- Drug-related cash worth around ₹21.71 crore
Pannu said these figures demonstrate the scale of the action being taken against drug trafficking and substance abuse in Punjab.
Baltej Pannu Says Punjab Youth Are Moving Towards Sports
Speaking about Punjab’s drug problem, Pannu blamed previous governments for allowing the drug menace to grow between 2007 and 2017.
He claimed that the current government has been encouraging young people to take up sports as part of its efforts to combat drug abuse.
Pannu pointed to the presence of several Punjab-origin players in Indian cricket and hockey as an example of the state’s sporting talent.
Pannu Questions Harbhajan Singh’s Contribution to Sports
Directly addressing Harbhajan Singh, Pannu questioned what contribution the former cricketer had made towards encouraging Punjab’s youth to participate in sports.
He also accused Harbhajan Singh and other celebrities of becoming part of what he described as a campaign to portray Punjab negatively.
AAP Condemns Alleged Social Media Campaign
Baltej Pannu said the Punjab government, Punjab Police and people of the state remain united against drug abuse.
He condemned what he described as a “false conspiracy” to defame Punjab and said the state government’s Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign would continue.
