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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Blanket ban on online real money gaming will kill jobs, revenue, innovation: Minister Priyank Kharge
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday criticised the Centre's decision to impose a blanket ban on online real money gaming (RMG), calling it "another masterstroke by Modi Sarkar in bad policy making."
Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, said the decision would hit state revenues, jobs and investments.
"India earns Rs 20,000 crore annually from GST and income tax via online RMG. The ban means states lose this revenue stream," he said in a post on 'X'.
The minister noted that over 2,000 gaming startups and more than two lakh jobs in IT, AI and design would be at risk.
"A ban kills India's gaming talent pool and pushes entrepreneurs abroad," Kharge said, adding that Rs 23,000 crore of foreign direct investment in the last five years could dry up and about Rs 7,000 crore spent annually on ads, data centres, sponsorships and cyber security would vanish overnight.
Warning of unintended consequences, the minister said, "Bans don't stop addiction or suicides. Instead, they push users to unregulated offshore platforms worth Rs 8.2 lakh crore annually where government has no control at all.
"Security risks: Unregulated sites ensure money laundering, terror financing, data theft. Even FATF and Rashtriya Raksha University warn against such risks."
Noting that the Supreme Court is still deciding whether the Centre or states have the power to regulate, Kharge questioned "Why the rush to ban now?"
He said prohibition is not the solution and called for regulating skill-based platforms, enforcing IT Rules, 2021, and whitelisting legitimate operators.
"A well-balanced regulation will ensure jobs, revenue, safer users, national security and global innovation," he said, cautioning that "a blanket ban will not only lead to revenue loss, but will give rise to illegal markets that might threaten national security and, of course, there will be a huge innovation setback. Regulation is the way forward."
The proposed promotion and regulation of online gaming bill, cleared by the Union Cabinet on Tuesday, prohibits online money gaming or its ads, and prescribes imprisonment or fine, or both, for those offering or advertising them, as it seeks to differentiate such games from eSports or online social games, according to a source.
At the same time, the bill calls for promotion of eSports and online social games, the source said, adding that it acknowledges that formal recognition of eSports will enable India to tune into global competitive gaming landscape, spur innovation, create opportunities for Indian startup ecosystem and make the country a global magnate for game development.
The bill proposes that any person offering online money gaming service in violation of the stipulated provisions will face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine that may extend to Rs 1 crore, or both.
The provisions also stipulate imprisonment of up to two years and or a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, or both, for those indulging in advertisements in contravention of rules. Also, those engaging in any transaction or authorisation of funds will be liable for up to three years imprisonment, or a fine up to Rs 1 crore or both, according to the source.
