Controversy and the Haryanvi rapper Badshah have become almost synonymous. Over the years, he has faced criticism for the lyrics and visuals of several of his tracks. His latest release, the music video for ‘Tatiri’, has once again ignited public outrage due to the portrayal of women in a manner many deem offensive and inappropriate. The song’s lyrics, coupled with provocative visuals, have drawn multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against the rapper, and the Haryana Women’s Commission summoned him for questioning. Amid mounting public pressure, Haryana Police have now escalated measures against him.
Released officially on 1 March via Badshah’s social media platforms, ‘Tatiri’ initially garnered enthusiastic responses from fans. However, within days, the online response turned critical. The primary objection stems from the depiction of women as “commodities” in the video. At the beginning of the video, school-aged girls are shown removing their shoulder bags and performing dances accompanied by suggestive gestures, while the lyrics contain sexually charged innuendo.
The Haryana Women’s Commission approached the police to lodge complaints over the content. In a related move, Aparna Yadav, daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh Yadav, petitioned the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, urging a ban on Badshah’s content within the state. Responding to the growing controversy, the Haryana Police have now taken stringent action against the rapper.
Haryana Police Director General Ajay Singhal stated:
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards content that undermines the dignity of women and minors. No one will be exempt from action.”
Social media platforms have already removed multiple instances of the controversial video. According to Panchkula Police, 857 pieces of content featuring ‘Tatiri’ have been taken down, including 154 YouTube videos and 703 Instagram Reels. The removals were carried out in coordination with the respective platforms, ensuring that the content is no longer accessible to the public.
| Platform | Content Removed | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 154 | Removed following platform cooperation |
| Instagram Reels | 703 | Monitored and deleted under police directive |
| Total | 857 | Includes other social media platforms |
Further, police officials have stated that strict monitoring of digital platforms will continue to prevent the video from being re-uploaded or circulated online.
In Panchkula’s Sector 20 Cyber Crime branch, Abhay Choudhury filed an FIR against Badshah, claiming that the video’s sexualised portrayal of schoolgirls sends an inappropriate message to young audiences. The complaint emphasises that such depictions are disrespectful and potentially harmful to societal norms regarding women and minors.
This development marks the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Badshah, highlighting the ongoing tension between artistic expression and societal standards in India’s digital entertainment space.