CHANDIGARH, March 18 — Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Harbhajan Singh has sparked a controversy by opposing the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government’s demolition drive against drug traffickers, saying “bulldozing is not the solution.”
On Tuesday, Harbhajan objected to the demolition campaign, stating that drug suppliers should be arrested and prosecuted by law instead of having their homes razed.
“I am not in favour of demolishing houses. The drug smugglers should be sensitised about the ill-effects of drug abuse. It is not right to raze any house, which provides a roof to other family members,” he said, adding that the government should consider relocating residents before vacating the land.
The Punjab government launched its demolition campaign against drug traffickers on February 28, razing over two dozen illegal structures allegedly built using drug money.
His remarks drew sharp criticism from party colleague Somnath Bharti, who termed his statement “completely uncalled for.” Taking to X, Bharti wrote, “Harbhajan_Singh ji, learnt that you have opposed bulldozer action of AAP’s Punjab govt against drug lords who have destroyed youth, the future of Punjab… Your statement favouring drug mafia is absolutely uncalled for.”
Bharti, defending the campaign, condemned Harbhajan’s remarks, calling him out for siding with criminals. “These drug lords have destroyed the land of our revered Gurus. The land of spirituality has been converted to the land of drugs and the ones responsible must be punished severely,” he posted on X.
He further rebuked Harbhajan, stating, “As a youth icon, you should be seen saying and doing things to save the youth of Punjab but your statement reflects otherwise.”
Harbhajan is the second AAP Rajya Sabha member in two days to dissent from the party’s stance.
Earlier, AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal praised the BJP-led Centre for renaming colonial-era places, drawing flak from within the party.
