Social media giant Meta may soon face a summons from India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology following controversial remarks by its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, regarding the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Zuckerberg, during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, claimed that several incumbent governments, including India’s, were defeated in elections held after the Covid-19 pandemic due to their “weak response.” This assertion has sparked a political storm in India.

BJP MP Calls for Apology

Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP and chairperson of the parliamentary panel, accused Meta of spreading disinformation and demanded an apology. “Misinformation in any democratic country tarnishes its image. Meta will have to apologise to the Indian Parliament and the people for this mistake,” Dubey posted on X.

Union Minister Rebuts Claims

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also fact-checked Zuckerberg’s remarks, calling them “factually incorrect” and expressing disappointment over the spread of misinformation. Writing on Facebook, a Meta-owned platform, Vaishnaw noted that the 2024 general elections in India saw the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, secure a decisive third-term victory, reflecting strong public confidence.

“India’s 2024 elections involved over 640 million voters, and the NDA’s victory was a testament to good governance,” Vaishnaw stated.

The Minister highlighted key achievements of the Modi government, including:

• Distribution of free food to 800 million people during the pandemic.
• Administration of 2.2 billion free Covid-19 vaccine doses.
• Support extended to other nations during the global health crisis.
• Leading India to become the fastest-growing major economy.

“From pandemic relief to economic leadership, PM Modi’s third-term victory demonstrates public trust and effective governance,” Vaishnaw added.

Political Row Escalates

Zuckerberg’s remarks have stirred a political row, with opposition leaders joining the debate and accusing Meta of spreading misleading narratives. Meta, which owns platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has yet to release an official statement addressing the controversy.

The parliamentary panel, chaired by Dubey, is expected to summon Meta to seek an explanation and demand accountability. The issue has also raised broader concerns about the role of social media in influencing democratic processes and spreading misinformation.

This incident adds to the growing scrutiny of global tech giants and their responsibility in maintaining factual accuracy, especially in politically sensitive matters.