23 July,2026 03:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Santy Sharma. Pic via Instagram
Independent rapper Santy Sharma has found himself at the centre of fresh controversy after claiming that his YouTube channel has been permanently deleted. The announcement, shared on his Instagram Stories, quickly went viral, with fans debating whether the removal was linked to the backlash he faced over his recent remarks on the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Sharing the news with followers, Santy said the channel represented more than a decade of his journey as an independent artist. Calling it "11 years of dreams, struggles and memories," he revealed that YouTube had informed him the channel could not be recovered.
While YouTube has not publicly stated the reason behind the removal, the rapper believes the decision came after he received a wave of online criticism following his comments on the CJP movement.
"I received a wave of hate messages, and I believe my channel has become a victim of that politics. They may have taken away my channel, but they cannot take away my voice, my passion, or my determination to create again," he wrote.
Santy Sharma also took to his Instagram Stories, sharing that he will be holding a press conference on 1st August in Mumbai. Adding that he will be discussing the "truth behind CJP" and will also present statements with facts and evidence. "To those supporting CJP, I only ask you to wait. Once the inside story and evidence are revealed, everything will become clear."
Born Ganesh Sharma in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, Santy Sharma is a rapper, singer and lyricist who began his independent music career in 2016 with Suni Suni Sadko. He later gained recognition through tracks such as Udaan, Koshish Meri, Fake Stars, Mujhe Pyaar Kar and Gangsta, building a dedicated fan base in India's independent hip-hop scene.
Santy also recently stepped into Bollywood by contributing to the soundtrack of Akshay Kumar's Housefull 5, introducing his music to a wider audience.
The rapper recently drew attention after describing the Cockroach Janta Party as "just internet drama" in a viral video while sharing his views on the country's political climate. His comments divided social media, with some defending his right to express an opinion while others criticised his remarks.
Following the controversy, Santy claimed he was subjected to hate messages online before learning that his YouTube channel had been permanently removed.
Although the exact reason behind the channel's deletion remains unclear, the incident has sparked conversations online about content moderation, digital platforms and freedom of expression. For now, Santy says he remains determined to continue making music despite the setback.
