Meta apologised for Zuckerberg's remarks on India's 2024 election, says BJP MP Nishikant Dubey

So, there's been this big drama with Mark Zuckerberg making some controversial statements about India's 2024 elections that didn't sit well with Indian politicians. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw both called out Zuckerberg's claims as incorrect, particularly his suggestion that incumbent governments were losing elections. Meta's Indian officials eventually apologized, with Shivnath Thukral admitting it was an "inadvertent error" and reaffirming India's importance to the company. The whole incident highlights the sensitive nature of political commentary in global social media platforms.

"The Indian Parliament and Government have the blessings and public trust of 140 crore people" - Nishikant Dubey

by ANI January 15, 2025 60 views

New Delhi, January 15: Parliamentary Committee on Communications and Information Technology Chairman and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday said that the social media giant 'Meta' has apologised for Zuckerberg's remarks about the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and India.

Key Points

1. Meta officially apologizes for Mark Zuckerberg's controversial election comments

2. BJP MP calls the apology a victory for Indian citizens

3. Shivnath Thukral clarifies Zuckerberg's statement was an error

4. Union Minister Vaishnaw highlights NDA's decisive election win

Zuckerberg in a podcast with American TV host Joe Roganhas earlier claimed, "The reaction to COVID probably caused a breakdown of trust in a lot of governments around the world. 2024 was a big election year around the world, and there are all these countries, India, just like a ton of countries that had elections and the incumbent lost every one of them."

BJP MP Dubey took to social media post on X and said that Meta's Indian official has finally apologized for Zuckerberg's 'mistakes' and called it a "victory" for the common citizens of the nation.

"The Indian Parliament and Government have the blessings and public trust of 140 crore people. @Meta The Indian official has finally apologized for his mistakes. This is the victory of the common citizens of India. By making Hon'ble Prime Minister Modi Ji @narendramodi the Prime Minister for the third time, the people have introduced the country's strongest leadership to the world. Now the responsibility of our committee ends on this issue. We will call these social platforms in the future on other issues. Forgiveness suits the cobra who has poison. Jai Sansad, Jai Bharat," Dubey posted on X.

https://x.com/nishikant_dubey/status/1879421940902830244

Nishikant Dubey said this while replying to a social media post of Shivnath Thukral, who is VP, Public Policy, Meta for India.

In a social media post on X, Thukral apologised for the "inadvertent error" saying that India remains an incredibly important country for Meta and they look forward to being at the "heart of its innovative future".

Thukral posted on X, "Dear Honourable Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw , Mark's observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in 2024 elections holds true for several countries, BUT not India. We would like to apologise for this inadvertent error. India remains an incredibly important country for @Meta and we look forward to being at the heart of its innovative future."

https://x.com/shivithukral/status/1879226796941750731

Earlier, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw pointed out that the NDA secured a decisive victory in 2024 polls, securing a third consecutive term in office and termed Zuckerberg's claims as "factually incorrect".

"As the world's largest democracy, India conducted the 2024 elections with over 640 million voters. People of India reaffirmed their trust in NDA led by PM @narendramodi Ji's leadership. Mr. Zuckerberg's claim that most incumbent governments, including India in 2024 elections, lost post-COVID is factually incorrect. From free food for 800 million, 2.2 billion free vaccines, and aid to nations worldwide during COVID, to leading India as the fastest-growing major economy, PM Modi's decisive 3rd-term victory is a testament to good governance and public trust. @Meta , it's disappointing to see misinformation from Mr. Zuckerberg himself. Let's uphold facts and credibility," Vaishnaw posted on X.

On Tuesday, Nishikant Dubey had said that the parliamentary committee will summon Meta officials and they will have to apologise or action will be taken against them after Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg made statement about atmosphere against government, where he mentioned about India.