67 songs glorifying gangs taken down, Haryana cops move to keep youth off crime
Say only the beginning, more stringent actions against such content will follow
In a major crackdown on gang culture and the glorification of weapons and violence, the Haryana Police’s Special Task Force (STF) and the Cyber Unit have removed 67 objectionable songs from digital platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana and JioSaavn.
During an extensive investigation, the STF and cyber teams found that several songs were glorifying gangsters and portraying an unrealistic image of luxury associated with criminal life, thereby pushing youngsters towards crime.
Acting on these findings, the Haryana Police have either removed or blocked most of the identified content. The police said it was only the beginning and more stringent actions would follow. Terming the step a crucial step in the interest of society and the younger generation, DGP Ajay Singhal said the objective was not merely to stop crime, but to prevent youth from being drawn into the world of crime.
The DGP said such songs projected criminals as role models and showcased a glamorous lifestyle that was far from reality. “The truth is the life of such criminals is filled with hardships, dangers and ultimately, legal consequences. Often, their families also suffer because of their criminal activities,” he said.
Reiterating that the Haryana Police had adopted a firm policy, the DGP said no platform would be allowed to host content that promoted crime culture. “The action taken against 67 songs is part of a larger campaign, and further strict action will continue,” he said. He also appealed to artistes and content creators to act responsibly and avoid creating content that misled the youth.
STF Inspector General Satheesh Balan said considering the increasing influence of digital content on the youth, the police had held discussions with singers, lyricists and creators, advising them against glorifying violence, gangsters or weapons. “Such content spreads fear, fuels criminal tendencies and promotes insecurity in society,” he said.
Parallel to the digital crackdown, the STF claimed to have achieved significant success in dismantling terror–gangster nexus operating through foreign handlers.
On March 2, 2025, a joint operation by the Haryana STF and the Gujarat ATS foiled a possible attack on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Two hand grenades were recovered from an arrested accused, Abdul Rehman, alias Abu Bakar, the IG said.
On June 13, 2025, a hand grenade was seized from two youths in Karnal and investigations revealed it was supplied by US-based gangster Bhanu Rana, who is actively linked to Khalistan-backed networks.
