The appeal of social media continues to grow, especially as algorithm-driven apps reward users with viral fame based on the number of their followers. However, these platforms have also become a showcase for young people showing off weapons such as guns, dragon knives and axes, all in an attempt to cultivate a “gangster” image.

In response, Delhi Police launched a special operation targeting individuals who use social media to gain notoriety by posting violent content. Police in the Southern District arrested 35 people, including minors, who posted photos and videos showing weapons and violence, boasting of their power. Police also seized 40 weapons during the trip.

This special operation, carried out under the leadership of Additional DCP Achin Garg and initiated by DCP Ankit Chauhan, was launched in response to a series of incidents of stabbing and firing in the area. “Following these incidents, videos of the crimes have often been posted on social media, with individuals glorifying the acts, usually accompanied by music to heighten the effect,” DCP Chauhan said.

Police analyzed more than 2,000 Instagram accounts, narrowing them down to identify specific individuals. These individuals were tracked through manual surveillance and then arrested under the Arms Act of 1959. “These individuals, mostly in their twenties or minors, are attracted by the fame that gangsters notorious people receive through social media,” said a senior officer.

The accounts, mostly public, featured posts of individuals brandishing weapons or posing during court appearances, in custody or even in prison, which became some of the most popular content.

“They are using these videos to establish dominance in their region and create fear among their rivals. However, these accounts are not linked to any major gangs in the Delhi-NCR region, but are more often linked to micro groups operating in their localities,” the officer added.

This phenomenon is also linked to the influence of “gangsta rap”, a subgenre of hip-hop that rose to prominence in the United States in the 1980s. These songs frequently contain lyrics about guns , violence and hyper-masculinity, themes that resonate with certain segments of Indian youth.

“We noticed that after posting such videos with gangster music, their subscriber count often skyrockets. Some accounts have more than 50,000 followers, and one account even has 85,000,” the officer explained.

However, many of these people are aware of the legal loopholes. For example, while the Arms Act classifies some weapons like button knives (Rampuri) as illegal, dragon knives, which are considered more “elegant”, are not covered by the law and are readily available in online and in the markets, the officer added.

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40 weapons seized

• Police also seized 40 weapons during the trip
• Police analyzed more than 2,000 Instagram accounts and refined them to identify specific individuals.
• The accounts, mostly public, featured posts of individuals brandishing weapons or posing during court appearances, in custody or even in prison, which became some of the most popular content.