Earlier last month, Haryana’s then top police officer, DGP O P Singh, sparked a nationwide debate with his comments linking drivers of Mahindra Thar SUVs and Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles to reckless behaviour on roads. Singh said that the kind of vehicle someone chooses can “reflect your mindset”, adding that many who drive Thars perform dangerous stunts and that rogue elements often use such vehicles, remarks that quickly went viral and drew both criticism and support from different quarters.
This time, the action has been taken againt songs. The police, however, did not disclose the names of the songs that were taken down.
Why the police stepped in
According to the Haryana Police, the move follows an extensive investigation by the Special Task Force (STF) and the cybercrime unit. Officials found that several songs were projecting gangsters as heroes, normalising violence, and presenting an unrealistic picture of luxury linked to criminal life.
The police said such content was steadily shaping young minds, glamorising crime, and nudging impressionable youth towards dangerous paths.
Digital platforms under constant watch
The action is part of a campaign that began last year against songs and online content accused of promoting gun culture, glorifying violence, and inciting hatred. Since then, singers, social media users, and digital platforms have remained under close watch.
Cybercrime teams regularly monitor social media activity and flag content that crosses the line. “As a result, most of the content has either been removed or blocked,” the police statement said.
DGP flags danger of ‘glamourised crime’
DGP Singhal called the crackdown a necessary step to protect society and the younger generation. He said the police aim not only to curb crime but also to prevent youth from being drawn into it.
He warned that such songs often project criminals as role models while hiding the harsh reality behind criminal lives. Families of criminals, he noted, frequently bear the brunt of these choices.
The DGP reiterated the force’s zero-tolerance approach, stressing that no digital platform will be allowed to host content that promotes crime culture.
Creators told to act responsibly
The Haryana Police also reached out directly to singers, lyricists, and content creators. STF Inspector General Satheesh Balan said discussions were held to advise artists against glorifying violence, gangster elements, or weapons.
He warned that such content spreads fear, fuels criminal behaviour, and creates insecurity in society. Balan added that the police are also keeping a close eye on users who like or share posts linked to criminals online.
Gangsters, he said, often use social media to lure and recruit young people into their networks.
Beyond songs: breaking the terror-gang link
Alongside the digital crackdown, the Haryana STF has intensified operations against the terror-gangster nexus operating through foreign handlers. Intelligence-led actions have uncovered several modules using local networks to support terror-linked activities.
The police said this dual strategy, cleaning up digital spaces while dismantling criminal networks on the ground, is emerging as a key step in strengthening internal security in the state.
The message from Haryana Police is blunt and clear: crime may look flashy online, but the curtain is coming down—song by song.