Listen To This Post

CHANDIGARH: Veteran cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP found himself at the centre of a political and social media controversy on Friday after his first public political post since joining the party triggered sharp reactions from supporters of the party and several social media users.

Harbhajan, popularly known as “Bhajji”, had remained publicly silent since defecting from the AAP to the BJP nearly three weeks ago. However, his latest comments on a child kidnapping case in Punjab quickly snowballed into a heated online political exchange.

Bhajji raises concern over the child kidnapping case.

The former Indian spinner shared a news video on his X account related to the alleged kidnapping of a four-year-old girl, reportedly abducted in front of her grandparents.

Though initial reports suggested that the incident may have been linked to an ongoing matrimonial dispute and a child custody case, Harbhajan expressed concern about the law-and-order situation in Punjab.

“What’s going on in Punjab. I urge @DGPPunjabPolice to see this matter and help the family,” he wrote on social media.

The post immediately drew political interpretations, particularly because it was seen as Harbhajan’s first public political intervention after joining the BJP.

The author targets the BJP over inflation and unemployment

Soon after Harbhajan’s post, a US-based Punjabi author and blogger responded critically, linking the issue to larger political and economic concerns.

“Bhajji, before lecturing Punjab, maybe ask your new political family why ordinary people are crushed under inflation while celebrities conveniently discover new ideologies overnight,” the author wrote.

The response further criticised rising LPG prices, unemployment and alleged unfulfilled promises made to farmers.

“I urge the government to see the matter of rising cooking gas prices, unemployment, collapsing farmer promises and help poor families too,” the reply stated.

Harbhajan hits back

Harbhajan responded strongly to the criticism, insisting that the issue was humanitarian rather than political.

“Kya baat hai, sardar ji. Ok, do you mean to say whatever is happening in that video is right? Chalo, I hope it doesn’t happen to ur own family one day. Get up and stand up for the right thing. It’s not a matter of any party, it’s a matter of humanity. Waheguru tahanu samaj bakshe,” Harbhajan wrote.

His response, however, intensified the online backlash, with several AAP supporters and social media users accusing him of selectively raising issues after joining the BJP.

AAP supporters troll former cricketer

One user questioned Harbhajan’s silence on alleged crimes and controversies linked to BJP-ruled regions.

“A rape has occurred with a three-year-old girl in Delhi, and your BJP is busy protecting that rapist. Daughters belong to everyone. Do you have the courage to speak up now, or will BCCI/IPL contracts keep your mouth shut?” the user commented.

Another social media user linked the issue to the ongoing controversy.

“Paaji, if wrong is wrong and humanity is above party lines, then voices should also be raised against the NEET paper leak. Imagine if, tomorrow, our own children have prepared for years, and the paper gets leaked. Students deserve fairness and justice, too,” the user wrote.

A third user accused Harbhajan of betraying Punjab voters.

“Look at the hypocrisy of Mr Traitor @harbhajan_singh. He is talking about standing up for the right thing, whereas he himself betrayed the trust of the Punjab people for his own ambitions,” the comment read.

Earlier repost on the Punjab debt issue

Earlier in the day, Harbhajan had also reposted a message by fellow Rajya Sabha MP criticising the Punjab government’s financial management.

The post claimed that the Punjab government had once again borrowed Rs 2,500 crore through market borrowings despite the state’s total debt crossing Rs 5 lakh crore.

It also alleged that nearly seven lakh government employees and pensioners were still awaiting dearness allowance arrears worth around Rs 15,000 crore despite directions from the.

Political significance of Harbhajan’s remarks

Harbhajan Singh’s comments are being closely watched because of his recent political shift from the AAP to the BJP — a move that had already generated considerable political buzz in Punjab.

Once considered one of the prominent celebrity faces associated with the AAP in Punjab, Harbhajan’s political crossover to the BJP was viewed as symbolically significant amid the BJP’s attempts to expand its footprint in the state.

His latest social media activity suggests the former cricketer may now take more active public political positions, potentially placing him at the centre of future debates over Punjab and national issues.