YouTuber Paurush Sharma faces channel termination; Accuses media house of misusing Copyright Strikes
In an emotional video uploaded to his backup YouTube channel, popular content creator Paurush Sharma who has over 1.5 million subscribers announced that his main channel is on the verge of being permanently shut down by YouTube. The creator, known for his satirical and news-based content, said he never imagined having to make such a video and called the experience heartbreaking.
Sharma revealed that the process began two days ago when he received an email from YouTube stating that his channel is being terminated due to multiple copyright strikes. The strikes, according to him, were not from random individuals but from a single media house that issued repeated claims against several of his videos. The creator explained that his content often used publicly available clips to expose misinformation or highlight truths, and that these clips were generally covered under fair use, especially in the context of news and satire.
He described the impact the notice had on him, saying it took two days to even process what was happening. “I have given seven years of my life to this channel,” he said, recounting how he worked round the clock—often sacrificing family moments, including his own child’s birthday—to create content. For him, the channel was not just a profession, but a passion, and a medium to counter misinformation and lies with facts.
He pointed out that YouTube’s content rules for fair use are often complex and misused. He explained that his use of news footage was meant to inform the public and not for personal gain. Despite this, the media house in question sent multiple copyright strikes within a very short span of time.
“Day before yesterday, I received two copyright strikes in the morning. I thought I had time to act, as channels are only taken down after the third strike. But by afternoon, four more strikes came in, taking the total to six. Then I received a notice from YouTube that the channel will be deleted in seven days,” he said.
Attempts were made to contact the media house to resolve the issue, but he claimed there was no response. Strikes continued to come in through the next day and night, worsening the situation. When he contacted YouTube support, he was informed that not only will the main channel be deleted, but any other existing or future channels created under his name will also face the same fate.
According to him, this effectively amounts to a complete ban from YouTube. “What crime have I committed?” he questioned, his voice filled with emotion. “Is speaking the truth a crime now?”
He further alleged that this entire episode appears to be a targeted effort to silence his voice, especially because his videos have often challenged powerful individuals and exposed uncomfortable truths. “When you question power, you have to pay the price,” he said.
He also shared that after reaching out to the media house again, they gave him a final offer: pay ₹24 lakh (approximately ₹21 lakh plus 18% GST) within five days, and they would consider withdrawing the copyright strikes. The amount, he said, is impossible for him to arrange at such short notice.
“This isn’t just about a YouTube channel,” he added. “My entire livelihood depends on this. My family, my team, and their families are all connected to this work. This is my only source of income.”
He urged his followers to subscribe to his backup channel and stay connected, in case his main channel is taken down. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to come back on YouTube. But I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years,” he said, choking back tears.
The video ends with a plea to his audience for continued support and a warning about how fragile digital freedom can be, especially when powerful entities are involved.
He added, those willing to support him in raising the 24L rupees required to be paid to the company, shall do so by depositing any convenient amoung to his account with details: Account Details- Paurush sharma Account number - # 915010000834762 IFSC Code- UTIB0005599. Or in an alternate account- Vinay Sharma Account # - 711710110006394 IFSC code- BKID0007117
Note: The identity of the media house, and other legal details were not disclosed due to ongoing legal constraints.
The incident involving Paurush Sharma is not isolated. Independent digital voices in India have been under growing pressure in recent times. Just a few weeks ago, access to the YouTube channel 4PM News, run by senior journalist Sanjay Sharma, was restricted. This move reportedly came after a complaint raised national security concerns. The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting intervened, leading to the channel being taken down. Sanjay Sharma has stated he plans to take legal action and expressed concern over the narrowing space for independent journalism. YouTube, however, has not issued any public statement on the takedown.
Similarly, folk singer and popular YouTuber Neha Singh Rathore has also faced legal trouble for her content. A criminal complaint was filed against her in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya District, accusing her of sedition for allegedly linking BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. The complaint claimed that Rathore’s posts were meant to incite unrest and gain electoral advantage. It further alleged that her content was being used by anti-national elements abroad, including Pakistan’s PTI party, which shared her video. Rathore is already facing an FIR in Lucknow for similar charges. The complaint calls her a “habitual YouTuber” spreading unrest and accuses her of being connected to a larger network of political and mafia-backed groups.
The growing list of such cases has raised alarm among digital creators, journalists, and free speech advocates. Many see this as a worrying trend where online platforms, sometimes under pressure from authorities, are being used to curb dissent rather than protect free expression.
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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
