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Nishikant Dubey, the Chairman of India’s Parliamentary Committee on Communications and Information Technology, has said that the 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.
Speaking to ANI, the BJP MP called Zuckerberg’s statement “alarming”. He said such a statement shows that Zuckerberg is interfering in India’s democracy.
The lawmaker said, “The owner of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg has given a statement and shown that after COVID-19, an atmosphere was there against the government where he has also mentioned India. India is a vibrant democracy. It is a country of 140 crore people. After independence, this is the second such government, which has been elected by the people for the third time. Last time, we were 303. Even today, it is 298-199, NDA is nearly 300. This statement by Mark Zuckerberg is alarming because there is atmosphere going on all over the world about social media platforms, they make non-sense statements about women, children.”
Asked how much time will be given to Meta for their response, Dubey said, “Our committee will be on a visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands from tomorrow. Our committee will conclude the visit on January 20. We will speak to the members of the committee there. We will ask them to be present between 20-24 January.”
Dubey’s remarks came after Zuckerberg in a podcast with American TV host Joe Rogan 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.”
Dubey said that Indian parliament is a sovereign power and no other country can challenge the decision of the parliament. He even mentioned the recent decisions taken by Australian parliament.
Asked whether the committee has the authority to take action against Meta officials, he said, “Powers of the Committee are the powers of the Indian Parliament. The Indian Parliament is a sovereign power. So, no other country can challenge the authority of parliament. If the Indian Parliament wants, it can take any decision.”
On Monday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw criticised Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and called him “factually incorrect” over his remark that most incumbent governments, including India in 2024 elections, lost post-COVID. He added that the people of India have reaffirmed their trust in the NDA led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“As the world’s largest democracy, India conducted the 2024 elections with over 640 million voters. People of India reaffirmed their trust in the ND led by PM @narendramodi Ji’s leadership. Mr. Zuckerberg’s claim that most incumbent governments, including India in the 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.
(Photo courtesy: IANS)