viral drug video controversy (Img: Google)
New Delhi: A disturbing video showing two young men appearing to be in a heavily intoxicated state has triggered a fresh political debate over Punjab’s long-running drug crisis. The video, shared on social media platform X, was described by many users as a shocking example of the growing impact of drug abuse among youth.
Reacting to the viral clip, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh accused the Punjab government of failing to control the worsening drug situation in the state. He said the condition of Punjab’s youth was deteriorating due to the easy availability of narcotics and questioned the government’s efforts to tackle the menace.
However, a controversy soon emerged over the location of the viral video. While the video was used to highlight the drug situation in Punjab, several social media users claimed that the footage was not from Punjab but from Shri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. The location of the video has not been independently verified, raising questions over the context in which it was shared and used politically.
The video that sparked the debate shows two youths allegedly struggling to move and appearing unconscious or severely affected by substance use. The visuals quickly spread online, with users expressing concern over the rising cases of drug addiction among young people.
The term “zombie drug” has increasingly been used on social media to describe cases where people appear motionless or physically impaired after consuming powerful substances. However, the exact substance consumed by the individuals in the viral video has not been confirmed.
Following the viral video, BJP MP Harbhajan Singh targeted the Punjab government, alleging that the state’s youth are facing a serious drug challenge.
He argued that incidents linked to substance abuse reflect the failure of authorities to stop the spread of narcotics and demanded stronger action against drug networks operating in the region.
The remarks added fuel to the ongoing political battle between opposition parties and the Punjab government over the issue of drug addiction.
While Harbhajan Singh used the video to raise concerns about Punjab’s drug situation, questions remain over its origin.
Several users on X claimed that the video was recorded in Shri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, and not Punjab. If these claims are correct, the footage cannot directly be considered evidence of the current drug situation in Punjab.
The identities of the individuals in the video and the substance involved have also not been officially confirmed.
Although the location of the viral footage remains disputed, the larger concern over drug abuse among Punjab’s youth continues to be a serious issue.
The debate around the video has once again brought attention to the need for stronger prevention measures, rehabilitation programmes, awareness campaigns and action against drug supply networks.
The viral clip may have triggered the political exchange, but Punjab’s drug challenge remains a deeper social issue requiring long-term solutions beyond allegations and counter-allegations.
