MP Bhajji disfavours bulldozer action against drug accused

Even as the Aam Aadmi Party-led government is on a demolition spree, bringing down houses owned by those accused in drug cases, the ‘bulldozer action’ has not found favour with party MP-cum-veteran cricketer Harbhajan Singh.

Bhajji, in an interview to the media during his visit to Jalandhar, towed a line different from that of his party. “I am personally not for demolishing anyone’s shelter. If someone has made a house even from ill-gotten money, there could be seven-eight more persons living under that shelter. It is not the right way to deal with the problem. There are other ways of handling drug peddlers. They can be pursued against legally. They can also be taught how it is morally bad for them to indulge in this trade,” he said.

Bhajji, however, maintained, “If a drug smuggler or anyone else is found to have encroached upon government land, then of course the department concerned can take the requisite action. No government will allow its land to get usurped.”

On Bhajji’s comments, Dr Ravjot Singh, Local Bodies Minister, who too was in Jalandhar today, said, “I do not know why Bhajji has said this. But I think whatever action the government is taking against drug dealers is totally justified.”

Later, in the evening, Bhajji tried to cover up his statement with his post on ‘X’. “Let me make it very clear. AAP government is the first in Punjab to take such drastic action against drug smugglers. I stand in complete support of Punjab Police and the government. Finally, we have a government which is serious about eradicating drugs and the message is clear,” he said.