Fact-Check: Punjab Police Corrects Harbhajan Singh Over Viral Rajasthan Video Linked to State

Punjab Police fact-checked Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh after he shared a viral video of a 'zombie drug', falsely linking it to the state. The police clarified the footage was from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, not Punjab, sparking a social media debate over the post and responsible sharing.

Punjab Police has fact-checked former India spinner and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh over a viral video of a ‘zombie drug’ that was falsely linked to the state, claiming that the footage was not from Punjab and had been circulated with a misleading caption.

Harbhajan Singh shared a video of two young people in a state of immobility on his X handle (formerly Twitter) and expressed his concern over the rising drug menace in Punjab, lamenting the condition of the state’s youth. He added that governments had ruined Punjab and its younger generation, while calling for urgent efforts to ‘save’ the state’s youth from addiction.

The former India spinner wrote the caption in Punjabi to connect with his audience in Punjab and convey his message in a language widely spoken across the state.

ਨਜ਼ਰ ਲੱਗ ਗਈ ਯਾਰ ਸਾਡੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੂੰ… 💔

ਸਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਨੇ ਕੀ ਹਾਲ ਬਣਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦਾ ਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਦਾ। ਰੋਣਾ ਆਉਂਦਾ ਏ ਇਹ ਸਭ ਦੇਖ ਕੇ। 😢

ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ ਦਿਓ ਮੇਰੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੂੰ… ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰੋ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੂੰ। 🙏

ਕਿੱਥੇ ਲੈ ਆਏ ਓ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੂੰ?
ਜਿਹੜਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਕਦੇ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ, ਹਿੰਮਤ ਤੇ ਬਹਾਦਰੀ ਲਈ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਸੀ, ਅੱਜ ਉਸੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ… pic.twitter.com/RAp3aYy0i2

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 10, 2026

Since the drug menace in Punjab has become a topic of serious debate, as the state has long grappled with the devastating impact of narcotics and addiction, high-profile commentary on social media frequently draws intense public scrutiny and emotional reactions. Harbhajan’s post, however, soon came under scrutiny after Punjab Police clarified that the video was not from the state.

‘Responsible Sharing Matters’

As the video shared by Harbhajan Singh went viral on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), it came to the attention of the Punjab Police, who authenticated its origin and revealed that the footage was actually shot in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, and had no connection whatsoever to Punjab.

Taking to their X handle, Punjab Police India called out Harbhajan Singh for sharing the misleading video, adding that a Punjabi audio track does not make an incident a Punjab incident, while urging users to verify the facts and location before posting or sharing misleading content on social media.

“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,” the Punjab Police India wrote.

“We urge users and social media accounts to verify the facts and location before posting misleading content or tagging Punjab Police. Responsible sharing matters,” they added.

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.

We urge users and social media accounts to verify the facts and location before posting… https://t.co/bNHwjXVXsC

— Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) August 10, 2026

The video was widely circulated on social media, especially X, before being reposted by the two-time World Cup winner Harbhajan Singh, who highlighted the serious concern of drug addiction among youth in Punjab. However, Punjab Police later clarified that the footage had no connection with the state.

Harbhajan Singh’s Post Sparks Backlash Online

Harbhajan Singh’s post and the Punjab Police’s fact-check sparked a debate on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with users divided over the controversy around the video’s misleading attribution to Punjab.

Taking to their X handles, many criticised the former India spinner for sharing the video without verifying its origin, with some users accusing him of misleading the public and defaming Punjab. Others argued that the proximity of Sri Ganganagar to the Punjab border made the issue relevant to the state as well.

However, a few urged that the focus should remain on addressing the broader issue of drug addiction rather than debating the video’s geographical origin.

Coming this from Rajasthan as it’s my home state is disturbing and people from these area know it’s not a new thing as drugs is very much prevalent in those area.

— CA Yogesh Bansal (@yogeshb34780996) August 10, 2026

SRI GANGANAGAR is only 10 kms from PUNJAB border. 
This can well be considered an influence of Punjab state, considering the proximity. Its a shame, how in one state the youth is fighting for education and in one state the youth can't event stand straight.

— Naman (@namanbansal5551) August 10, 2026

O paazi... Sri ganganagar is 20 km from punjab. Ok... If issue is there.. Then it is most probably in Punjab too..

Dont do this

— Anti Cockroach Movement (@ACM4Bharat) August 10, 2026

Such remarks are deeply disrespectful to the people of Punjab, and he should be held accountable for defaming the state.

— Abhi (@Abhishek_011085) August 10, 2026

Be mindful on what you are sharing on social media @harbhajan_singh. The world is watching you! https://t.co/UJ6FkHRvqX

— Jeswanth Reddy (@JeswanthMReddy) August 10, 2026

When cricketers turns politicians! Shit happens 😂 https://t.co/fVyTpXosCD

— Rishi Chatterjee (@rishichatterje2) August 10, 2026

Very right @PunjabPoliceInd Sir . These social media circulation's are much misleading than the story on grounds.

— pankajkalra 💡 (@luckykalra91) August 10, 2026

Harbhajan Singh is defaming Punjab by spreading fake news—passing off a video from Rajasthan as one from Punjab. 

He should be ashamed of this. 

He ought to apologize to the people of Punjab and delete the post. pic.twitter.com/LhZwQqa6Ev

— AAP ka Yadwinder. AK4PM✌️✌️ (@Yadwind44686397) August 10, 2026

Yeah there is not even ounce of drugs getable in Punjab, thanks to alert police 😂

— Desi Pheroun (@loveinterection) August 10, 2026

Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh was one of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs who joined the BJP in April 2026 after the Rajya Sabha Chairman, C. P. Radhakrishnan, who is also India’s Vice-President, approved their merger with the party. The six others were Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Vikramjit Sahney, Swati Maliwal and Rajinder Gupta.