Haryana DGP calls for action against singers promoting gang culture

Haryana Director General of Police O.P. Singh has stressed strict legal action against singers promoting gun culture among the youth, saying that they should be treated as “criminals”.

Mr. Singh made the remarks in a letter to his subordinates on Sunday to congratulate them on the success of “Operation Trackdown”, a special campaign to track down criminals, being carried out for the past 18 days in the State.

“Singers who promote gang lifestyles to youth through music and videos, driven by money and power, should be treated as criminals and strict legal action should be taken against them,” Mr. Singh wrote, adding that these people, in a matter of minutes, make the youth forget the teachings of their parents and teachers and the discipline of society.

Praising the police force, Mr. Singh said they had foiled more than sixty murder plots during the campaign, which, he said, was a “historic achievement”. “You must dismantle their entire criminal ecosystem. Continue to take legal action against those who handle their illegal income, supply weapons, provide hiding places and create a favourable publicity on social media and among the general public,” said Mr. Singh.

The police have recovered more than 250 country-made pistols, revolvers and pistols and 350 live cartridges from more than 1,500 criminals, said Mr. Singh.

Earlier this year, the Haryana Police had taken down about 10 songs allegedly promoting gun culture from various social media platforms, and at least two concerts, including one in Gurugram, were halted midway. Six of the 10 banned songs were sung by Masoom Sharma, a prominent Haryanvi singer.

However, several artists from the music industry had accused the police of “picking and choosing” to target a few singers. The issue had also resonated in the State Assembly during the Budget session in February with legislators seeking a lenient view of the matter.