The Haryana Police on Tuesday said it has removed 67 songs from digital platforms for promoting gang lifestyle and glorifying weapons and violence, calling the action part of a wider campaign to protect youth from criminal influence.
Director General of Police Ajay Singhal said strict action would continue against such content and made it clear that no platform would be allowed to host material that promotes crime culture.
The police did not name the songs removed, but official sources said some tracks by Haryanvi rappers were among those taken down over the past year.
The crackdown began in February 2025, when the Haryana Police initiated action against songs that glorify violence, gun culture, and hatred.
The move brought singers, social media platforms, and digital creators under closer scrutiny, with cybercrime units monitoring content and taking action where required.
In March 2025 alone, more than 10 songs were removed from social media platforms, including a few sung by popular Haryanvi singer Masoom Sharma. At the time, the police said some of his songs promoted gun culture. Sharma had responded by saying action should be fair and applied equally to all artists.
According to the police statement, investigations by the Special Task Force and cyber units found that several songs were influencing youth by glorifying gangsters and portraying an unrealistic and glamorous image of criminal life. Most of the identified content has now been removed or blocked.
Singhal said the objective was not only to curb crime but also to prevent young people from being drawn into criminal activities. He added that such songs often project criminals as role models while ignoring the suffering faced by their families.
STF Inspector General Satheesh Balan said the police have also engaged with singers and content creators, urging them to avoid glorifying violence and weapons. He added that authorities are monitoring social media activity linked to criminals, as such platforms are often used to recruit youth.
The police said the digital crackdown is being carried out alongside efforts to dismantle terror and gangster networks operating through foreign handlers, describing the dual approach as a significant step toward improving internal security in the state.