India

YouTube Blocks Sabeer Bhatia’s Video After Government Complaint, He Calls It Suppression of Truth

By Livemint

Hotmail co‑founder Sabeer Bhatia has criticized the Indian government after YouTube blocked his video, "How Modi and Adani Stole India | The Friendship Files," from being viewed in India. Bhatia posted a screenshot of the restriction notice on X and accused the government of silencing the truth, urging people to support him. He wrote, "Of all the despicable things the Indian government has done, nothing is more egregious than silencing the truth. Please 🙏 support me."

An email from YouTube, shared by Bhatia, explained that the platform received a legal complaint from a government entity regarding the video. After reviewing the complaint, YouTube said it had blocked the content on its India site. The email noted that YouTube removes content when necessary to comply with local laws and informed Bhatia that he could submit a form if he believed the restriction had been imposed in error. No specific legal provisions or details about the government’s objections were provided.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also shared a version of Bhatia’s video on X after the restriction. She wrote, "They blocked Sabeer’s video. But watch it here to see how Adani & Modi stole India," and posted the video with the same title.

The video’s title references Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani. Bhatia, an Indian‑American entrepreneur best known for co‑founding Hotmail in 1996, later sold the service to Microsoft for about $400 million in stock. He has since founded and co‑founded several technology ventures, including Arzoo, Sabse Technologies, AMP Technologies and ShowReel.

Earlier in August 2026, Bhatia posted a controversial comment on X that drew thousands of views and mixed reactions. The post, shared on August 8, criticized four individuals for prioritizing profit over nation‑building, citing control over public infrastructure such as the Mumbai airport and the Adani Group’s takeover.

The story was reported by Livemint—News Desk, a source known for timely and well‑researched coverage of national news, business, politics, and geopolitics.