Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) O. P. Singh has issued a directive to treat singers who promote gang lifestyles through their music and videos as criminals. The order, given on Sunday, November 23, 2025, instructs police officers to take strict legal action against such artists.
DGP Singh stated that these singers quickly undo the positive influences of parents, teachers, and societal norms on the youth. This initiative is part of a broader effort by Haryana Police to crack down on songs that promote gun culture, glorify violence, and incite hatred. The police have been monitoring singers, social media platforms, and other channels to identify and take action against such content.
The Special Task Force (STF) has been actively working to curb the growing influence of gangster culture in regional music. The STF has asked singers to refrain from glorifying criminals, weapons, and drugs in their songs. This directive follows the removal of 40 controversial songs from social media platforms over the past three months.
Inspector-General of Police, STF, Simardeep Singh, held a meeting with prominent Haryana-based singers, including Amit Saini Rohtakiya, Mukesh Jaji, and Narender Bhagana, to address the issue. During the meeting, he emphasized that such songs glorify negative elements of society and significantly influence young minds. The STF maintains strict online vigilance and promptly initiates the removal of such content.
The controversy surrounding provocative lyrics in Haryanvi songs has been ongoing for years. While the genre has folk roots, it has faced increasing criticism for shifting towards themes of violence and criminal behavior. In March 2025, city authorities halted a concert by singer Masoom Sharma after he performed a previously banned song.
Similar actions have been taken against Punjabi singers, including Happy Raikoti and the late Sidhu Moosewala, who faced an FIR in 2020 for promoting gun culture. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued an order in 2019 prohibiting the promotion of weapons or drugs in songs.
IG Singh clarified that the STF has no personal agenda against any artist but cannot allow the corruption of youth through such content. He urged singers to create responsible content that positively influences young audiences, warning of legal consequences for violations. The directive extends beyond social media, prohibiting banned songs at concerts and public functions. Some artists have objected, claiming unfair targeting, an issue that was raised in the Haryana assembly during its budget session.
