Santy Sharma Supports Badshah 2026: Rapper Defends Fellow Artist Amid 'Tateeree' Song Controversy
As backlash intensified against rapper Badshah over his latest Haryanvi track 'Tateeree' in March 2026, fellow hip-hop artist Santy Sharma stepped forward to publicly defend him. Sharma's support came amid widespread criticism, legal action including an FIR and police lookout notice, and a summons from the Haryana State Commission for Women .
Sharma took to Instagram to argue that Indian audiences are misinterpreting the song due to a lack of understanding of hip-hop culture, and that Badshah is being unfairly judged without context . This comprehensive guide covers the entire controversy, Santy Sharma's defence, Badshah's apology, legal developments, and the wider debate about artistic responsibility in Indian hip-hop.
The 'Tateeree' Controversy: What Happened?
Song Release and Immediate Backlash
Badshah's Haryanvi-language track 'Tateeree' was released on March 1, 2026, featuring vocals by Simran Jaglan . The song quickly went viral—but for all the wrong reasons. Critics and social media users alleged that the lyrics contained vulgar and double-meaning references, objectified women, and were inappropriate for younger audiences .
The Music Video That Sparked Outrage
The controversy escalated dramatically when viewers focused on the music video's visuals:
Critics argued the visuals sexualised minors, objectified women, and disrespected Haryanvi cultural values .
Legal Fallout: FIR, Lookout Notice, and Government Summons
The backlash quickly translated into serious legal consequences:
FIR Registration
An FIR (No. 28, dated March 6, 2026) was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Sector 20, Panchkula . The charges included:
Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – covering obscene acts and songs
Sections 3 and 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 – imprisonment up to two years for first offence
Police Action
Haryana State Commission for Women Summons
The Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognizance of the controversy and summoned Badshah to appear for a formal hearing on March 13, 2026 at 11:30 AM at the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Panipat .
Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia stated that Badshah's actions are "not pardonable" and warned that insulting Haryana's daughters with indecent language cannot be tolerated .
Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda also publicly condemned the song .
Badshah's Apology and Response
Facing mounting legal pressure, Badshah responded swiftly:
The Apology Video
On March 7, 2026, Badshah posted an apology video on Instagram . Key points included:
Removal of song: He confirmed the track was pulled from all major platforms
Haryanvi pride: "Main khud Haryana se hoon... Bahut hi proud Haryanvi hoon" (I am from Haryana... a very proud Haryanvi)
Clarification of intent: He stated he never intended to disrespect any child or woman of Haryana
Hip-hop context: Explained that in hip-hop, lyrics are often used to compete and "bring down the opponent" – not targeting women or children
Apology to Haryana: "I hope that you will consider me as a son of Haryana, as your own son, and forgive me"
Since the apology, Badshah has remained silent on social media, not responding to further criticism .
Santy Sharma's Defence: Full Statement and Analysis
Who Is Santy Sharma?
Santy Sharma is an independent rapper and music producer in the Indian hip-hop scene . He stepped forward to defend Badshah while the latter stayed quiet .
The Instagram Post
Sharma shared a photo of Badshah on Instagram with a lengthy statement defending him . Here is the complete statement as reported by multiple news outlets:
"Rap music is a genre where rappers write lines about their competitors as references. A song's audio can be created long before the video. The video team is separate, and even major artists like Badshah may not even know their video will be like this.
A major drawback to Badshah and other artists emerging in India today is the lack of knowledge among listeners in India about this hip-hop art form.
If a lyric in a song is incorrect, the lyrics should be updated or changed, but the way Badshah is being judged without understanding the full story is wrong. Sorry, if anyone hurted from this post but this is the reality."
Key Arguments from Santy Sharma
The Counter-Argument: Criticism of Badshah and Sharma's Defence
Sona Mohapatra's Sharp Critique
Singer Sona Mohapatra strongly criticised Badshah and, by extension, defences like Sharma's:
Pattern of misogyny: "Not the first time we've seen this template. A man puffing up his chest, flexing masculinity, objectifying women, and projecting himself as some irresistible hero, while women exist merely to drool around him"
Lazy creativity: "'Tu mujhpe marti hai, mujhpe jaan chidakti hai' type of flights of rubbish swag… This isn't creativity. It's the laziest trope in pop culture"
Cultural responsibility: "Haryana already battles some of the country's worst gender ratios, violence against women and honour killings. Cultural influence carries responsibility? Artists shape imagination. You can challenge misogyny or profit from it. BADSHAH & this lot, do better"
Sangram Singh's Views
Wrestler Sangram Singh also weighed in:
"I strongly believe such songs should not be made. Many rappers today use abusive language, and I think that is wrong regardless of who the singer is. Personally, I do not follow that kind of music."
Critics' Response to Sharma's Defence
Timeline of Events (March 2026)
The Wider Debate: Art, Accountability, and Hip-Hop in India
The Core Questions
Sharma's defence has sparked a broader conversation about Indian hip-hop:
Creative separation: How much control do artists have over music videos produced by separate teams?
Genre literacy: Should audiences be expected to understand hip-hop tropes like "dissing" and lyrical bravado?
Cultural context: Do global hip-hop norms apply in India's cultural landscape, especially regarding women and minors?
Artistic responsibility: Where is the line between creative freedom and social accountability?
Legal boundaries: What constitutes "obscene" under Indian law, and how should it be enforced?
Sharma's Perspective
Sharma's position emphasises education over condemnation. He argues that Indian audiences lack the framework to properly interpret rap music, leading to unnecessary outrage and legal action against artists who are simply operating within the genre's norms .
Critics' Perspective
Critics like Mohapatra argue that intent matters less than impact. Regardless of genre conventions, content that sexualises minors or objectifies women has real-world consequences—particularly in a state like Haryana with existing gender challenges .
What's Next for Badshah?
As of mid-March 2026:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is Santy Sharma?
A: Santy Sharma is an independent rapper and music producer in the Indian hip-hop scene who publicly defended Badshah amid the 'Tateeree' controversy in March 2026 .
Q2: Why did Santy Sharma support Badshah?
A: Sharma argued that Indian audiences lack understanding of hip-hop culture, that songs are often created separately from music videos, and that Badshah is being judged without context .
Q3: What is the 'Tateeree' controversy?
A: Badshah's Haryanvi song 'Tateeree' (released March 1, 2026) faced backlash for alleged obscene lyrics and a music video featuring minor girls in school uniforms, leading to an FIR, police lookout notice, and government summons .
Q4: What legal action has been taken against Badshah?
A: An FIR was registered under Section 296 BNS and the Indecent Representation of Women Act. A Look Out Circular was issued, and the Haryana State Commission for Women summoned him for a March 13 hearing .
Q5: Did Badshah apologise?
A: Yes, on March 7, Badshah posted an apology video on Instagram, removed the song from platforms, and asked for forgiveness from the people of Haryana .
Q6: What did Santy Sharma's Instagram post say?
A: Sharma wrote that rap music involves competitive references, audio is created before video, video teams work separately, and Indian listeners lack hip-hop literacy—so Badshah is being unfairly judged .
Q7: Has anyone else commented on the controversy?
A: Singer Sona Mohapatra strongly criticised Badshah, calling the song part of a misogynistic pattern in pop culture. Wrestler Sangram Singh also condemned such songs .
Q8: What happens next in the case?
A: The Haryana Women's Commission hearing was scheduled for March 13. Legal proceedings under the FIR continue. Badshah has remained silent since his apology .
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Indian Hip-Hop
The Santy Sharma support for Badshah in 2026 represents more than just one artist defending another—it highlights the growing pains of Indian hip-hop as it navigates the tension between global genre conventions and local cultural sensitivities.
Key Takeaways
The Larger Question
Sharma's defence raises a legitimate point about hip-hop literacy—but it also exposes the challenge of transplanting a genre built on aggressive wordplay and competitive "dissing" into a culture with different sensibilities around women, children, and respect.
As one analysis noted, "diss tracks in hip-hop target named rivals, while the visuals in Tateeree featured unnamed schoolgirls in uniform—those are not the same creative choice" .
What's at Stake
For Badshah, the immediate stakes are legal—potential conviction under the Indecent Representation of Women Act carries up to two years imprisonment . For Indian hip-hop, the stakes are cultural: Can the genre grow and evolve while respecting local values? Or will it face increasing pushback as it pushes boundaries?
Sharma's intervention ensures this debate continues—but whether it helps Badshah's case remains to be seen.
Disclaimer: This article is based on news reports from multiple sources as of March 14, 2026. Legal proceedings are ongoing, and information may evolve. All quotes and statements are attributed to their original sources as cited.
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