At the Chaudhary Charan Singh prison in Meerut, inmates can listen to their favorite tunes thanks to the internal radio station 'Radio Parwaaz,' which began operating in May 2026. This modern radio station was established with the support of the India Vision Foundation.
Inmates submit requests for their favorite songs by handing notes through guards in the barracks. The broadcast takes place twice a day—morning and evening—and songs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s are the most requested. Since prison regulations prevent inmates from seeing each other, they use music to express their feelings.
Highest Demand for Love and Pain Songs in Prison
Women accused of serious crimes, as well as other inmates at the Chaudhary Charan Singh prison, actively request old compositions on 'Radio Parwaaz.' According to prison administration, the most frequently requested songs include 'Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi,' 'Hum Tere Pyar Mein Sara Alam Kho Baithe,' 'Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho Aakhir Toot Jata Hai,' 'Bekhudi Mein Sanam,' and 'Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhe Se.'
'Radio Parwaaz' in Meerut Prison is Equipped with High-Tech Equipment
This radio station, developed by the India Vision Foundation under the guidance of Dr. Kiran Bedi, is characterized by a high degree of modernity. The station's interior is decorated with posters of singers and actors. It features a computer, a mixer, Saregama Carvan equipment, and high-tech speakers. If a desired song is not available in Carvan, it is played via the internet or YouTube. Notably, an inmate serves as the host of the radio station.
Listeners can enjoy the music through speakers installed in the barracks. When ordering a song, only the barracks number is specified. Additionally, inmates who can sing are given the opportunity to come to the microphone and sing themselves.
Music Helps Reduce Levels of Depression and Conflict
According to senior prison warden Viresh Raja Sharma, 67 percent of the individuals held in the prison are under 30 years old. Since the launch of the radio station, there has been a significant decrease in the level of depression and internal conflicts among inmates. Inmates undergoing drug rehabilitation also listen to music to pass the time.
This prison also houses women such as Muskan, who killed her husband and placed him in a blue barrel, and her lover Sahil. Ravita, who staged a snakebite killing her husband, and her lover Amardeep, are also here. Furthermore, Gurpreet, who killed a child with her lover, and Damini, who killed her husband with a snakebite, and her lover, are also in this prison. These five women committed murders of their husbands with their lovers. According to prison regulations, they cannot communicate with each other, but currently, they exchange feelings through requested songs.
The prison administration states that it cares about the feelings of all inmates, and anyone wishing to hear a favorite song can request it through the radio station.
