A video purportedly showing a young child consuming drugs in Punjab’s Kapurthala district has triggered widespread concern and renewed political criticism of the Bhagwant Mann-led government’s efforts to combat drug abuse.
The footage, which has circulated extensively on social media, reportedly shows a child believed to be between 12 and 13 years old using an intoxicating substance. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the child’s age or the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The controversy comes just days after the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, an incident that intensified political tensions over Punjab’s continuing struggle with narcotics.
Opposition parties have seized on the latest video to question the effectiveness of the Aam Aadmi Party government’s anti-drug campaign, particularly its ability to prevent illegal substances from reaching children and other vulnerable groups.
Congress leaders staged protests wearing black cloth around their necks to draw attention to the issue. Congress leader Bawa Henry expressed concern that the alleged involvement of a child demonstrated the seriousness of Punjab’s drug problem and raised questions about the availability of narcotics among younger age groups.
Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal also condemned the incident, describing the footage as deeply disturbing. She claimed the child appeared to be approximately 10 years old and accused the state government of failing to prevent drug networks from targeting vulnerable communities.
Badal further criticized the government’s anti-drug initiatives, alleging that inadequate enforcement had allowed the narcotics problem to worsen and placed Punjab’s younger generation at risk.
Following the video’s circulation, local police and administrative authorities intervened, and the child was admitted to a hospital for medical treatment.
According to officials, doctors are expected to conduct examinations to assess the child’s condition and determine the extent of any exposure to intoxicating substances.
Authorities have not yet established how the child allegedly obtained the substance or whether another individual was involved. No person or organized drug network has been officially identified as responsible for the incident.
The case has also raised broader concerns about the potential exposure of children and teenagers to narcotics, prompting questions about the effectiveness of existing prevention programmes, law enforcement efforts and community awareness initiatives.
The controversy comes as Punjab prepares for assembly elections in early 2027, with drug trafficking and substance abuse remaining major issues in the state’s political landscape.
The killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota had already intensified scrutiny of the government’s handling of the drug crisis, and the latest incident has added to demands for stronger preventive measures and accountability.
The viral footage has also underscored the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions and community organizations to protect children from substance abuse.
As authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding the video, attention remains focused on the child’s recovery and efforts to determine how the alleged substance reached a minor.
