Punjabi rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh met BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Tuesday to discuss the growing drug crisis in Punjab and its impact on families. Chugh shared pictures of the meeting on X, formerly Twitter, and wrote in Hindi that they had a meaningful discussion on a shared resolve to make Punjab drug-free. BJP positioned Honey Singh as a brand ambassador for the campaign targeting Punjab’s youth.
ਦੁੱਧ, ਦਹੀਂ, ਲੱਸੀ ਪੀਓ ਤੇ ਨਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਰਹੋ ਦਾ ਨੌਜਵਾਨ ਪੀੜ੍ਹੀ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਨੇਹਾ ।@asliyoyo #NashaMuktPunjab pic.twitter.com/iMVierUuNN
— Tarun Chugh (@tarunchughbjp) May 26, 2026
Jassi breaks his political silence
Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi raised objections through a social media post, questioning BJP’s decision given Honey Singh’s well-known struggles with drug addiction.
Jassi said he usually stays away from political matters. But he stated that this issue concerns Punjab directly, which is why he chose to speak up. He shared that he felt disappointed after seeing Tarun Chugh’s post about Honey Singh.
Jassi’s core objection
Jassi referred to Honey Singh’s past struggles with drug addiction and his provocative songs, calling him one of those who popularised drug culture among Punjabi youth. He did not hold back in his public statement.
“The ones who pushed Punjabi youth into this well are not ambassadors or saviours of Punjab’s youth. It seems to be a deliberate attempt to provoke Punjab,” he said.
Jassi also questioned whether BJP leaders truly understand the state. “People who live in Delhi, Mumbai, or other metros do not understand Punjab’s culture. One popular face does not represent Punjab,” he added.
A warning to BJP
Jassi went further and addressed the political intent behind the campaign. He said that he felt either Tarun Chugh does not understand Punjab or is deliberately trying to provoke the people.
He also referenced his own past interaction with Chugh. While he did not name anyone, Jassi said that several leaders in the state are disliked by the people of Punjab.
“Don’t take our silence as our weakness. The people you are promoting, whether political or not, are not liked by the people of Punjab. Sikhi and Gurbani are in the DNA of Punjabis, whether Hindu, Sikh, or others,” he said.
BJP’s stand on Honey Singh’s appointment
Tarun Chugh praised Honey Singh’s recovery journey and urged him to use his voice to inspire Punjab’s youth to quit drugs. Chugh stated that if Honey Singh can overcome addiction, so can others.
The campaign comes at a time when concerns around drug abuse in Punjab continue to dominate political discourse, especially ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Honey Singh’s controversial past
For years, Yo Yo Honey Singh represented the excesses of India’s pop culture boom, chart-topping fame, nightlife anthems, controversy, and eventually a very public battle with addiction. His past is not limited to personal struggles. Punjab Police had previously booked Honey Singh for singing vulgar songs, following High Court directions after a complaint was filed.
A BJP leader from Jalandhar had also sent a complaint to the DGP regarding an old song by Honey Singh, strongly objecting to obscene content in the video.
In January this year, Jassi had called out Honey Singh for lewd comments made during his Delhi concerts after a video went viral, and had said that Singh had crossed all limits.