Songs demeaning women and girls: Police Complaints Authority seeks crackdown

The Karnataka Police Headquarters has directed all police unit chiefs to initiate strict legal action against individuals performing or promoting obscene and vulgar songs in public places that demean women and children.

In an official communication dated February 12, 2026, issued from the office of the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DGP&IGP), Karnataka, senior officers, including Railway Police, have been instructed to examine complaints regarding such performances and take appropriate action as per law.

The directive follows a letter dated February 3, 2026, from a member of the Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority, raising concerns over the increasing instances of illegal, obscene and indecent songs being composed and sung in public, allegedly harming the dignity of women and children and affecting the cultural fabric of the state.

In the letter, Mohan Kumar Danappa expressed concern over the increasing instances of allegedly vulgar and objectionable songs being performed in the name of folk art and “Rasamanjari” programmes, particularly in parts of North Karnataka. He stated that certain individuals were misusing Kannada language and double entendre lyrics to target school-going girls and young women during public events, including fairs, religious gatherings, cultural programmes and television reality shows.

The letter further alleged that such songs were being played loudly through sound systems mounted on tractors and other vehicles in public places, and widely circulated on social media platforms. Danappa noted that these performances could have an adverse impact on students and youth, and claimed that the content may encourage disrespect towards women and potentially contribute to crimes against them.

Mr. Danappa has sought registration of criminal cases under Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000. He also called for removal of objectionable videos from social media and issuance of statewide instructions to police stations to take suo motu action against performers and organisers.

The letter comes in the wake of upcoming festive season, where such programmes are commonly organised by the cultural groups, especially in the rural parts. It may be recalled that Mr. Saleem had also issued directions to all the units to ensure that women and girls are not harassed under the garb of festival and celebrations.