ANI vs Mohak Mangal Controversy Explained

Mohak Mangal, creator of the YouTube channel “Mohak Mangal – @mohak_mangal,” sparked controversy on May 25, 2025, by accusing Asian News International (ANI) of exploiting YouTube’s copyright strike system. Mangal claims ANI issued two strikes against his channel for using 11-second clips in a 16-minute video, which he argues qualifies as fair use for commentary. With YouTube’s three-strike policy risking channel deletion, Mangal alleges ANI demanded ₹45-50 lakh to resolve the issue, threatening six additional strikes. A recorded conversation suggests ANI rejected smaller payments or YouTube’s revenue-sharing tools, pushing for a lump-sum “subscription” to their licensing service.

In the comment section of that video many prominent creators of India came together and supported the Youtuber and praised him for his courage. Mohak Mangal also mentioned that he is not afraid of loosing his YouTube Challenge.

Creator Backlash and ANI’s Silence

The accusations have rallied support from creators like Nitish Rajput and Dhruv Rathee. They claim similar experiences, reporting payments of ₹18-50 lakh to lift ANI’s strikes. On X, users like

@dulalsaikiaa have labeled ANI’s actions as “organized crime,” while others, like

@vardhaaaan, defend ANI’s right to protect its content. As of May 25, 2025, ANI has not issued a detailed response, leaving the controversy to simmer online and raising questions about their copyright enforcement practices.

Fair Use at the Core

The dispute centers on fair use, a legal doctrine allowing limited use of copyrighted material for critique or reporting. Mangal argues his brief clips serve analytical purposes, but ANI’s aggressive use of strikes—bypassing YouTube’s revenue-sharing options—suggests a strategy critics call coercive. This approach highlights the vulnerability of creators, whose channels face termination over minor disputes. Especially when confronting powerful entities like ANI.

Broader Implications for Digital Media

The controversy exposes power imbalances in India’s creator economy. ANI, a major news agency, wields significant influence, with some X users accusing it of pro-government bias. The threat of channel deletion endangers creators’ livelihoods, prompting Mangal to appeal to the Information and Broadcasting Minister for intervention. The case underscores the need for clearer fair use guidelines and protections against exploitative copyright practices.

ANI vs Mohak Mangal: A Call for Change

The ANI-Mohak Mangal dispute has galvanized creators and netizens, sparking debates about digital rights and media ethics. As India’s digital landscape expands, this clash highlights the urgent need to balance intellectual property rights with creative freedom. This will ensure independent voices aren’t silenced by powerful media entities. For more news please check our news section.