Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT met on Monday to discuss the recent removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video from Meta’s platform. Chairperson Nishikant Dubey, a BJP MP from Godda, criticised Meta for deleting the video and called for an apology from CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Dubey said that Meta had admitted the video was missing for more than four hours, from 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. He added that the company had previously faced criticism when it removed content related to the 2024 elections and that Zuckerberg had issued a statement in January.
The committee warned that if Zuckerberg does not apologise, Meta could lose the safe‑harbour protection granted under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act. This protection shields intermediaries from liability when they remove prohibited content, provided they act within the time limits set by the IT Rules.
During the meeting, Dubey also raised concerns about the viewership algorithm of large social media platforms. He said that these algorithms often give preference to newer content, which can disadvantage established voices such as the Prime Minister’s.
The video in question was released on 23 July and was Prime Minister Modi’s first direct address to Gen Z students during the protest over the NEET‑UG 2026 exam leak. Meta initially restricted access to the video before restoring it.
The IT Rules impose legal obligations on intermediaries to remove misinformation, false information and deep fakes quickly. Failure to meet these obligations can result in loss of safe‑harbour status and potential prosecution.
Dubey’s remarks highlight the growing scrutiny of social media companies over content moderation and the importance of accountability for high‑profile political content. He reiterated that the committee’s stance is clear: an apology is required, or the safe‑harbour protection will be withdrawn.
The discussion is part of a broader effort by the committee to ensure that digital platforms uphold transparency and reliability, especially when handling content involving national leaders.