Parliamentary IT Committee Chairman Nishikant Dubey demanded a personal apology from Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg for removing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video, warning that Section 79 protections could be revoked if no apology is issued.

Key Takeaways

  • Meta removed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video for five hours.
  • IT Committee chair Nishikant Dubey demanded a personal apology from Zuckerberg.
  • Failure to apologize could lead to withdrawal of Section 79 safe‑harbor protection.

New Delhi – Nishikant Dubey, chair of Parliament’s Standing Committee on IT, told reporters on Monday that Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg should personally apologise for the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video from Facebook. The video was unavailable for five hours between 12:30 am and 5 am, sparking a heated parliamentary session.

Dubey argued that the removal reflected an intent to “destabilise the country” and could not be dismissed as a mere technical glitch. He warned that if Zuckerberg does not apologise, the committee will seek to strip Meta of the Section 79 safe‑harbour protection under the IT Act.

Historical Background

Earlier this year, the Indian government summoned Meta executives after a separate Modi post was briefly restricted. While Meta expressed regret then, this latest incident is being treated as a serious breach of official communication protocols.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such high‑profile content removals raise questions about platform accountability and the robustness of India's IT Act safeguards, influencing public trust in digital ecosystems.

"Digital platforms must treat official communications with the same care as any other content, lest they undermine democratic discourse," says constitutional law expert Dr. A. Sharma.
Did You Know?: The first Indian report of a government post being removed from a social platform dates back to 2018, when a state‑level announcement was taken down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can Section 79 protection actually be revoked?
A: The parliamentary committee has the authority to reconsider the safe‑harbour status if a platform repeatedly fails to comply.

Q2: When must Meta respond?
A: The committee has given Meta ten days to submit a written clarification.