Haryana Intensifies Crackdown on Gang-Culture Music: DGP O.P. Singh Expands Operation Trackdown to Safeguard Youth
In a major policy escalation intended to reinforce social order and steer young people away from harmful influences, Haryana Director General of Police O.P. Singh (IPS, 1990 batch) has broadened the mandate of the state’s flagship anti-crime initiative, Operation Trackdown. The DGP has instructed all district police units to take stringent action against singers, performers, and content creators who glorify gang life, violent retribution, or criminal bravado in their music and videos. This new direction positions such artistic portrayals as catalysts for deviant behaviour and seeks to curb their growing impact on impressionable audiences.
Music Content Placed Under Strict Scrutiny to Protect Adolescents
DGP Singh emphasized that media portraying firearms, revenge, intimidation, and gang identity can rapidly erode the values instilled by families, schools, and communities. With digital platforms amplifying the reach of such content, he warned that even a single viral music video has the potential to influence thousands of young minds within hours. Numerous videos propagating similar themes have already been taken down in past enforcement actions, highlighting—according to Singh—the urgency of sustained vigilance.
Strengthening the Foundation of Previous Crackdowns
This renewed thrust builds upon earlier police operations targeting music linked to violence, weapon glorification, and social hostility. During those efforts, several singers and online platforms were placed under heightened monitoring, while Haryana’s cybercrime team took the lead in identifying and reporting content deemed harmful. The latest directive now institutionalizes an intensified and more coordinated approach to cultural responsibility and digital monitoring.
Success of Operation Trackdown Enables Next Phase of Cultural Intervention
In a message circulated on X, addressed to ADGPs, district police chiefs, and SHOs, DGP Singh commended the exemplary performance of the police force under Operation Trackdown. The initiative has substantially weakened criminal networks across the state, creating space for law enforcement to extend their focus beyond direct crime suppression.
Armed with the momentum generated by the operation, the police leadership is now shifting towards preventive strategies that target the cultural and psychological factors contributing to juvenile delinquency. By countering content that glamorizes defiance of the law, the DGP aims to reinforce long-term social stability, safeguard young people, and cultivate a healthier environment for future generations.
