The Haryana Police has launched a digital dragnet to combat gangster glorification, warning citizens that even liking or sharing gang-related content could lead to criminal charges. In a press briefing on March 19, DGP Shatrujeet Kapur revealed that 502 URLs promoting “hate speech and gang violence” were scrubbed from platforms like Instagram and YouTube, with 220 instigators and 400 “miscreants” flagged for surveillance.
The Anatomy of a Social Media Crackdown
A dedicated 24/7 Social Media Monitoring Wing under the CID now tracks hashtags, geo-tags, and viral trends linked to gangs. Using AI tools, the team analyzes metadata to identify influencers amplifying threats. Recent takedowns include fan pages of jailed gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi, which glamorized weapons and revenge.
“Every like emboldens these criminals,” stated DGP Kapur. “We’ve registered 297 FIRs and made 472 arrests since 2015. Our resolve is unshakable.”
Public Backlash and Free Speech Concerns
While many applaud the initiative, civil rights groups warn of overreach. Activist Kavita Krishnan argued, “Vague terms like ‘provocative content’ risk silencing dissent.” Police, however, cite Section 153A (promoting enmity) of the IPC as their legal anchor.
Citizen Advisory: Think Before You Click
- Avoid sharing gangster music videos or memes.
- Report suspicious profiles via the Haryana Police Cyber Helpline.
- Parents urged to monitor teens’ accounts for coded slang (e.g., “GSM” for guns).
As gangs pivot to Telegram and Dark Web, this cyber-siege marks a new front in Haryana’s war on crime.