The Haryana government has initiated a crackdown against songs that promote gun culture. In this regard, the state government banned several songs by Haryanvi artist Masoom Sharma on YouTube. Sharma’s songs "Tution Badmashi Ka", "60 Mukadme" and "Khatoa" have been pulled down from the online video sharing platform.
Responding to the ban, Sarma went live on Facebook and accused the authorities of discriminatory actions, adding that the Haryanvi industry would shut down if such actions continued.
He alleged that only his songs were being targeted, while thousands of similar songs exist on YouTube. Sarma warned that if this ‘discrimination’ persists, the Haryanvi music industry will collapse and the youth will turn to Punjabi songs instead.
Masoom Sharma accused an official from Haryana's publicity cell of orchestrating the ban on his most popular songs, claiming that this person, who holds a high position in the government, doesn't want Haryanvi artists to succeed. He also claimed to have a personal rivalry with this individual, which led to the banning of his songs. Sharma further alleged that this person had also canceled a show by artist KD Danoda at the Surajkund Mela.
The Haryanvi singer stated that some people in the government, who came from the artist community, do not appreciate or respect artistry. He said such people provide the government with lists of songs to ban.
He also mentioned that singers Narendra Bhagana and Ankit Baliyan had one song each removed to avoid the perception that only his songs were being targeted.
Sharma said that while his songs were being banned under the pretext of promoting hooliganism, other artists were promoting obscenity under the guise of folk music, and action should also be taken against them.