Mark Zuckerberg India elections:Meta Apologizes over Zuckerberg’s comment on India’s 2024 Election Acknowledges Mistake

Mark Zuckerberg India elections:Social media giant Meta has issued a public apology over CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s controversial statement regarding India’s 2024 elections. The company clarified that the remarks were a mistake and emphasized its continued commitment to India. The issue gained traction after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw criticized the statement, calling it factually incorrect and misleading.


What Did Mark Zuckerberg Say?

The controversy began when Mark Zuckerberg, during a podcast, reportedly stated that most incumbent governments across the world, including India, faced electoral defeats in 2024 due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • This statement sparked outrage in India, especially as it contradicted the facts of the 2024 general elections, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government secured a historic third-term victory.
  • Critics, including senior leaders from the Indian government, labeled the comment as “factually incorrect and damaging.”

Meta Apology 2024

In response to the backlash, Meta’s Director of Public Policy in India, Shivnath Thukral, issued an apology on the platform X (formerly Twitter) on behalf of the company.

  • Thukral’s Statement:
    • “Mark’s remark about governments being unseated in 2024 elections applies to several countries but is inaccurate in the case of India. We sincerely apologize for this inadvertent error.”
    • Thukral added that India remains a crucial market for Meta, and the company is committed to its growth and development.

Parliamentary Committee Takes Action

The controversy escalated as BJP MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT, Nishikant Dubey, called for summoning Meta officials over the misinformation.

  • Dubey stated, “Meta must apologize to the Indian Parliament and its citizens for spreading misinformation. Any incorrect information about a democratic country tarnishes its image on the global stage.”
  • The committee has decided to issue a summons to Meta to explain the circumstances under which such a statement was made.
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Ashwini Vaishnaw Responds to Zuckerberg’s Claim

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, also criticized Zuckerberg’s comment, calling it disappointing and factually incorrect.

  • In a post on X, Vaishnaw highlighted India’s achievements during the pandemic and its electoral integrity:
    • 64 Crore Voters Participated: India successfully conducted elections with over 640 million voters participating.
    • COVID-19 Relief Initiatives:
      • Free food for 800 million people.
      • Distribution of 2.2 billion vaccine doses.
    • Global Leadership: India emerged as the fastest-growing major economy, providing aid to several countries during the pandemic.

Vaishnaw said, “Prime Minister Modi’s decisive leadership and good governance have resulted in a historic third-term victory, showcasing the people’s trust in his administration.”


Why Zuckerberg’s Statement Sparked Controversy

  1. Misinformation on Indian Elections:
    Zuckerberg’s comment undermined the electoral process in the world’s largest democracy by suggesting the Modi-led government faced electoral defeat.
  2. Contradiction to Election Results:
    The 2024 Indian general elections marked a resounding victory for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), contradicting Zuckerberg’s claim.
  3. Global Implications:
    Statements from global leaders like Zuckerberg can influence public perception and damage the image of a country on the international stage.

Meta’s Commitment to India

Despite the controversy, Meta reaffirmed its dedication to India:

  • India is a key market for Meta, with millions of users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
  • The company stated its intention to continue supporting India’s digital growth and remains optimistic about the country’s future.

Key Highlights of the Controversy

  1. Mark Zuckerberg’s Statement: Claimed most governments, including India’s, were unseated in the 2024 elections.
  2. Indian Government’s Response: Labeled the statement factually incorrect and called it damaging to India’s democratic reputation.
  3. Meta’s Apology: Acknowledged the error and issued an apology, reaffirming its respect for India.
  4. Parliamentary Action: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT has summoned Meta to address the misinformation.
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Conclusion

Meta’s apology following Mark Zuckerberg’s controversial statement highlights the importance of fact-checking and responsible communication, especially when addressing sensitive topics like elections. The Indian government’s firm response emphasizes the significance of safeguarding the country’s image and ensuring accurate representation on global platforms.

As Meta works to rebuild trust in India, this incident serves as a reminder of the power of words in shaping public perception and the responsibility of global leaders to uphold credibility.

Trishla Tyagi
Trishla Tyagi

Trishla is a news writer and social media aficionado. She has substantial experience in covering updates, events, and news related to the different space, along with rapidly expanding blockchain and financial technology markets. Her experience in the cryptocurrency market has led her to become a crypto hodler herself.