Panchkula: Haryana Police has intensified its campaign against the online glorification of gangsters, firearms and violence, securing the removal of 12 Instagram accounts allegedly used by extremist elements to radicalise young people. The campaign has also led to the removal of 67 songs promoting gangster and gun culture from digital platforms, while nearly 200 youths identified as being influenced by such content have received counselling.
The initiative is being led by the Haryana Police Special Task Force (STF) and combines digital monitoring, engagement with the music industry and efforts to prevent young people from being drawn towards criminal activities.
Haryana Director General of Police Ajay Singhal (IPS: 1992: Haryana) has cautioned against portraying criminal lifestyles as glamorous, warning that such content can influence young people and contribute to the normalisation of violence.
12 Instagram Accounts Removed, 67 Songs Taken Down
According to reports citing Haryana Police, the authorities have taken action against online content considered to promote gangster culture, firearms and violence.
Read Also: Haryana Police Tracks 15–20 Overseas Gangsters Running Crime Networks Remotely, Says DGP
The key actions include:
- 12 Instagram accounts removed: Accounts allegedly operated or used by extremist elements to radicalise and influence young people were identified and taken down.
- 67 songs removed: Songs allegedly glorifying gangsters, firearms and violence were removed from digital platforms.
- Nearly 200 youths counselled: The STF identified young people influenced by gangster and gun culture through social media and counselled them to discourage involvement in criminal activities.
- Coordination with other states: Police shared information about online content promoting gangsters, firearms and violence with authorities in other states to facilitate coordinated action.
The campaign seeks to address both the circulation of objectionable online material and its potential influence on young audiences.
DGP Ajay Singhal Warns Against Glorification of Gangsters
DGP Ajay Singhal has emphasised that presenting criminal lifestyles as aspirational can have adverse consequences for society, particularly for young people exposed to such material through social media, songs and music videos.
Explaining the purpose of the campaign, he said:
“The objective of the campaign is to curb the tendency to portray criminal lifestyles as glamorous and to protect, particularly young people from the negative influence of gang culture and gun culture.”
Singhal also said that Haryana Police had shared information about objectionable social media content with other states to support coordinated action against such material and profiles.
STF Engages With Haryanvi Music Industry
The police campaign extends beyond the removal of online content. The STF has been holding meetings with singers, lyricists and music producers from the Haryanvi music industry to discuss the social impact of songs and videos that glorify gangsters, firearms and violence.
A committee within the STF has also been tasked with identifying and reviewing online content that promotes gang culture and violence.
The broader measures include:
- Sensitising artists: Singers, lyricists and producers are being encouraged to avoid portraying criminal activities and firearms as symbols of status or success.
- Monitoring digital content: The STF committee reviews online material glorifying gangsters and violence.
- Engaging with media organisations: An advisory has been prepared to sensitise representatives of print, electronic and social media, content creators and the public about the consequences of glorifying criminal activities.
- Preventive counselling: Young people identified as being influenced by gangster culture are being counselled, with efforts to help them reconnect with mainstream society.
Haryana Police has also reported a decline in the production and circulation of content glorifying gangsters, gun culture and violence following these interventions.
The initiative seeks to discourage the glorification of gangsters, firearms and violence while preventing young people from being drawn towards organised crime and extremist influences.
