67 Songs Glorifying Gang Culture Taken Down as Haryana Police Tighten Digital Crackdown

In a major push to curb the growing influence of gang culture among youngsters, the Haryana Police have removed 67 songs that glorified gangsters, weapons and criminal lifestyles from major digital platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana and JioSaavn.

The action was carried out by the Special Task Force (STF) in coordination with the Cyber Unit after an extensive review of online content. Police officials said the identified songs projected criminals as powerful role models and promoted an unrealistic image of wealth, luxury and fearlessness linked to crime — narratives that can mislead impressionable youth.

Director General of Police Ajay Singhal termed the move a preventive step rather than a reactive one. “Our aim is not only to control crime, but to stop young people from being drawn towards it. Such content glamorises violence and gangs, while hiding the reality of jail, danger and suffering for families,” he said, adding that the removal of 67 songs was “only the beginning”.

The DGP made it clear that the police would not allow any digital platform to become a tool for promoting crime culture. He appealed to singers, lyricists and content creators to act responsibly and avoid producing material that normalises violence or illegal activity.

STF Inspector General Satheesh Balan said the police had also engaged with artistes and digital creators, cautioning them against glorifying weapons and gangsters. “Violent content spreads fear, fuels criminal tendencies and damages social security. Given the deep influence of digital media, such material cannot be treated casually,” he said.

Alongside the online crackdown, the STF highlighted its continued action against organised crime and terror-linked networks, including operations targeting the terror–gangster nexus operating through foreign handlers.

Police officials reiterated that stricter monitoring of online platforms would continue, signalling a sustained campaign to break the cultural appeal of crime and steer youth away from unlawful paths.