New Delhi: Former Indian cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh has found himself at the centre of an intense political social media storm weeks after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party from the Aam Aadmi Party.
The controversy escalated after Harbhajan posted comments on X concerning law and order in Punjab while addressing the state’s Director General of Police. The post triggered a flood of criticism from AAP supporters and online political commentators, who targeted the former spinner over a range of issues including inflation, the NEET examination row and pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues owed to Punjab.
As criticism intensified, the former cricketer appeared to limit public interaction on several of his posts by restricting replies to selected users. The move effectively prevented many critics from responding directly to his comments on the platform.
The backlash comes shortly after protests were reported outside Harbhajan’s residence in Chhoti Baradari, where slogans such as “gaddar” were allegedly written following his political switch from AAP to BJP.
Unlike several public figures who choose silence during online controversies, Harbhajan actively responded to multiple critics before restricting comments. In one exchange, a social media user questioned him over Punjab’s pending RDF funds and urged him to confront BJP leadership on the issue. Responding sharply, Harbhajan stated that raising Punjab’s concerns remained his responsibility while accusing AAP leaders of misleading the public and misusing ministers for political funding.
In another response, he rejected allegations that he had remained inactive on Punjab-related issues during his tenure with AAP. Harbhajan claimed that his interventions in the Rajya Sabha were already part of the public record and defended himself against accusations of enjoying political privileges without contributing meaningfully.
The former off-spinner also posted sarcastic remarks about the nature of public criticism, suggesting that political figures are targeted regardless of whether they speak out or remain silent.
Political observers noted that while Harbhajan disabled replies on posts involving direct confrontations with trolls, he kept comments open on certain politically charged reposts, including a report related to corruption cases during the tenure of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The episode reflects the growing intensity of digital political battles in Punjab, where celebrity politicians and public personalities increasingly find themselves navigating aggressive online scrutiny alongside conventional political opposition.
