Indian Panel Demands Zuckerberg Apologise Over Modi Video Removal

New Delhi: (News Desk) – An Indian parliamentary committee on Wednesday demanded that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologise over the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video from Facebook and Instagram, despite the company attributing the incident to a technical error.

The video, posted by Modi on July 23 during widespread youth-led protests, was briefly taken down from Meta’s platforms before being restored. Meta later said the removal resulted from a technical issue.

Nishikant Dubey, chairman of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology and a lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accused Meta of acting beyond the role of an intermediary.

Dubey said Zuckerberg should apologise within three days, warning that failure to do so could lead to demands for the removal of the legal “safe harbour” protections currently available to Meta’s platforms. He added that the committee had written to India’s interior and technology ministries, seeking appropriate action.

Indian media also reported that Meta representatives have been summoned to explain the temporary removal of the prime minister’s video. Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The video featured Modi addressing students during protests that initially erupted over alleged examination irregularities before expanding into broader demonstrations focused on employment, youth opportunities and criticism of the government. The prime minister used Instagram’s vertical video format to directly communicate with young audiences, promising tougher laws and stricter punishment for examination paper leaks.