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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West Asia war: PM reviews common man's needs; calls for 'authentic' information to thwart rumours
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for an 'all-out effort' to safeguard the Indian citizens from the impact of the war in West Asia and stressed a timely and authentic public information system to ward off any misinformation or rumour-mongering.
At a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by him, the prime minister assessed the availability of critical needs for the common people and said all efforts must be made to safeguard the citizens from the impact of this conflict.
The meeting was held to review measures taken by ministries and departments in view of the West Asia conflict, and discuss further initiatives in that context, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
This was the second special CCS meeting on this issue. The first was held on March 22.
Modi directed all concerned departments to take all possible measures to ameliorate the problems of citizens and sectors affected by the ongoing global situation, the PMO statement said.
At the meeting, the prime minister took stock of fertilisers and steps being taken to ensure their availability in the Kharif and Rabi seasons.
He emphasised a smooth flow of authentic information to the public to prevent misinformation and rumour-mongering.
"Chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Reviewed the steps being taken by various Ministries and Departments in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict and also discussed the next set of initiatives to be taken," Modi said in a post on X.
Energy, agriculture, fertilisers, aviation, shipping and logistics were some of the sectors discussed in the meeting, he said.
Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan briefed those present about action taken to ensure the supply of petroleum products, particularly LNG/LPG, and power.
Sources are being diversified for the procurement of LPG with new inflows from different countries.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is also being sourced from different countries.
LPG prices for domestic consumers have remained the same, and anti-diversion enforcement to curb its hoarding and black marketing is being conducted regularly, the cabinet secretary said.
Union ministers Amit Shah (Home), S Jaishankar (External Affairs), Nirmala Sitharaman (Finance), Piyush Goyal (Commerce), Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Agriculture), J P Nadda (Health) and Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways) were among those present at the meeting.
Union ministers Manohar Lal Khattar (Power), Pralhad Joshi (Food and Consumer Affairs), Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu (Civil Aviation), and Hardeep Singh Puri (Petroleum) also attended it.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the prime minister's two principal secretaries, P K Mishra and Shaktikanta Das, were in attendance.
The attendees were informed that initiatives have been taken to expand piped natural gas connections.
Measures like exempting the gas-based power plants with a capacity of 7-8 GW from the gas pooling mechanism and increasing rake for positioning more coal at thermal power stations, have also been taken to ensure availability of power during the peak summer months.
Interventions proposed to be taken for emerging challenges in such sectors as agriculture, civil aviation, shipping and logistics were also discussed.
Efforts, like maintaining urea production to meet requirements, coordinating with overseas supplies for DAP/NPKS suppliers, are being taken to ensure fertiliser supply, they were told.
State governments are being requested to curb black marketing, hoarding, and diversion of fertilisers through daily monitoring, raids, and strict action, the statement said.
The retail prices of food commodities have been stable over the past month. Control Rooms have been set up for constant monitoring and interaction with States/UTs on prices and enforcement of the Essential Commodities Act.
The prices of agricultural products, vegetables and fruits are also being monitored.
Efforts to globally diversify India's sources for energy, fertilisers and other supply chains, and international initiatives to secure safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic efforts are being taken by the government.
On March 22, the prime minister held another meeting with the same set of ministers and offices and reviewed the situation arising out of the conflict in West Asia.
Then, Modi said the conflict was an evolving situation, and the entire world was affected in some form.
On March 12, Modi said that the war had triggered a worldwide energy crisis, posing a critical test of national character that requires dealing with circumstances through peace, patience and increased public awareness.
"Continuous efforts are also underway to determine how we can overcome the disruptions that have occurred in the supply chain," Modi then said.
The prime minister has spoken to many global leaders since the West Asia conflict started on February 28, when the US and Israel attacked Iran. Iran retaliated by targeting Israel and several of its Gulf neighbours.
Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which 20 per cent of the world's energy is transported. Since the conflict, very few ships have been allowed by Iran to cross it.
The blockade has resulted in severe disruptions in energy supply to many countries, including India.
Since the conflict, Modi has had telephonic conversations with leaders from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, France, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Israel and Iran.
He has also spoken to US President Donald Trump. After a telephonic conversation between the two on March 24, Modi said he "had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia."
