New Delhi, August 11: Former cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh has once again raised his voice against the escalating drug problem in Punjab. He emphasized the need for concrete measures to make Punjab drug-free, urging political leaders to set aside their differences.
In a post on the social media platform ‘X’, Harbhajan stated, “Is this a picture of Rajasthan? The discussion is about Punjab’s drug problem. Your paid trolls cannot hide this issue. We need to address it. Running away from responsibilities will not yield any solutions.”
This statement comes after Punjab’s Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused Harbhajan of tarnishing the state’s image by sharing a video from Rajasthan. Cheema clarified that the focus should not be on targeting individuals but rather on efforts to help those struggling with addiction across Punjab and the country. He urged the Punjab government to work on solutions for a drug-free state instead of engaging in blame games.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Harbhajan expressed his desire for Punjab to be drug-free. He acknowledged that many have questioned the authenticity of the videos circulating, asserting, “I live there, and is Punjab truly drug-free?”
He continued, “If it is, let’s discuss that. If the goal is to make Punjab drug-free, we should focus on the efforts being made rather than targeting those who raise the issue. If I don’t speak about Punjab’s problems, I don’t see the point of my presence here. These are serious issues that need government attention.”
Harbhajan conveyed his deep concern, stating, “This issue has saddened me greatly. I cannot bear to see Punjab in this state, as it is known for prosperity, sports, and brotherhood. However, if our youth are falling into addiction and don’t know how to cope, it becomes our collective responsibility.”
He added, “I believe more work should have been done on this issue. If it had, we wouldn’t be seeing these videos or hearing so much about drug use in Punjab. Punjab was once known for its prosperity; why is it now associated with such dire conditions? I think the government needs to take action.”
Harbhajan also expressed frustration over the lack of parliamentary proceedings, stating, “Every problem can be solved through dialogue. If there is no discussion in Parliament, how can you expect to resolve any issues? I am surprised they are not allowing the House to function.”
In this context, Harbhajan Singh also met with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, although he did not disclose details about their discussion.
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