Mahua Moitra Urges Mark Zuckerberg To Resist Pressure Over PM Modi Video Controversy

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Tuesday backed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg amid the controversy over the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook reel, urging him not to apologise under what she described as government pressure. Her remarks came after the Centre announced that Meta's global team would meet Indian officials to discuss concerns related to content moderation and other issues involving the platform.

Moitra criticised the government's response to the incident, alleging that the Centre was attempting to intimidate citizens and influence the removal of content critical of the government. Addressing Zuckerberg directly, she said he should not be pressured into issuing an apology over the temporary restriction of the Prime Minister's video. She also questioned the broader implications of government intervention in decisions taken by social media platforms.

The controversy began after a Facebook reel featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he addressed India's youth and spoke about strict action against paper leaks, was briefly restricted on the platform. The action drew criticism from ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, with some demanding an apology from Zuckerberg. The government subsequently said it would raise the matter during discussions with Meta's representatives visiting India.

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Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan had earlier said that the government would discuss multiple issues with Meta's global team, including concerns over alleged failures in tackling Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSAM) and what officials described as wrongful action against prominent accounts. He said a major technology company should ensure its systems function properly and make accurate content moderation decisions.

Moitra's comments placed the issue within a wider debate over free speech, digital platforms, and government oversight of social media companies. She alleged that the government's approach could affect online expression and create pressure on platforms to remove content based on political considerations. The TMC leader has frequently criticised the Centre on issues related to civil liberties and institutional accountability. Meta has not publicly announced any apology from Zuckerberg or provided a detailed explanation for the temporary restriction of the Prime Minister's reel.

The company has previously stated that content moderation decisions are based on platform policies and involve a combination of automated systems and human review. The upcoming discussions between Meta officials and Indian authorities are expected to focus on content moderation practices, platform accountability, and regulatory concerns. As governments worldwide continue to debate their relationship with major technology platforms, the dispute over the removed video has added another dimension to discussions around digital rights, political communication, and online governance in India.

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