New Delhi: After initially opposing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab’s demolition drive against drug peddlers in the state, AAP Rajya Sabha MP and former cricketer Harbhajan Singh took a U-turn on March 19 and said that he is in “complete support” of Punjab police and the government.
Singh’s change in stance resulted after party leaders termed his earlier statement as something that was “absolutely uncalled for,” reported Hindustan Times.
“I am not in favour of demolishing houses. Instead, the drug suppliers and smugglers should be arrested, according to the law. They 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. I am not aware how these houses were built and with whose money, but there must be some other alternative. This is not the right approach,” Singh had earlier said on Tuesday (March 18).
The former Indian cricketer had added that instead of demolishing homes, the government should relocate residents before vacating the space.
Following Singh’s opposition to bulldozer action, AAP leader Somnath Bharti had criticised his statement.
“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. These drug lords have ruined lakhs of families, they have trampled dreams of aged parents, they have put on fire dreams of newly wedded girls and you are favouring them? Your statement favouring the drug mafia is absolutely uncalled for,” Bharti had said.
Thereafter, Singh posted a clarification on X, taking a U-turn and supporting the AAP government’s actions.
Let me make it very clear. @AAPPunjab govt is the first govt in Punjab taking such drastic action against drug’s smugglers. I stand in complete support of Punjab Police and the government. Finally we have a govt which is serious about eradicating drugs and the message is clear. Together We will win this war against drugs. Let’s make our Great state free from any kind of Nasha,” Singh posted on X.
As part of its ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh (war against drugs) campaign which was launched on February 28, the Punjab government has demolished more than two dozen illegal structures allegedly belonging to those involved in the drug trade.
