There has been great anxiety in the legacy media and social media platforms having obvious left bias following the election victory of Donald Trump. While many of them have doubled down on their tirade against Trump, anti-India rhetoric, some like Mark Zuckerberg are finding themselves in hot waters. Although the Meta founder Zuckerberg has been trying his hands at summersault and getting into the good books of the right-wing party of the US, President-elect Donald Trump, his recent theatrics on a podcast has landed himself in trouble.
Notably, BJP MP and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, Nishikant Dubey informed through X that Mark Zuckerberg would have to apologise for his recent remarks on 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Incidentally, the Meta founder recently appeared on a podcast with Joe Rogan where he made a misleading claim saying that the PM Modi-led dispensation “lost” the Lok Sabha polls due to its “weak Covid-19 response.” In an attempt to paint a broader perspective, Zuckerberg stressed that most incumbent governments worldwide, “including India”, were defeated in elections held post-Covid-19. However, his remarks were a blatant lie. While BJP suffered a dip in its overall tally, the Narendra Modi led saffron party formed the Union government for a historic third time.
Following his misleading remarks on Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called the remarks “factually incorrect” and fact-checked him.
The Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Vaishnaw wrote on Meta-owned Facebook, “It is disappointing to see misinformation from Mr Zuckerberg himself. Let’s uphold facts and credibility.”
Vaishnaw highlighted the fact that the BJP secured victory and formed the government for the historic third term. He stated India conducted its 2024 general election with over 640 million voters adding that PM Modi-led NDA’s victory was a clear reflection of public confidence.
He further stated, “Mr Zuckerberg’s claim that most incumbent governments, including India in the 2024 elections, lost post-Covid is factually incorrect.”
Additionally, the Union Minister also dispelled falsehoods about the Modi government’s weak response during the onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned several achievements of the Modi government including the distribution of free food to 800 million people, giving 2.2 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses, and aid extended to foreign nations.
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Vaishnaw said, “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 third-term victory is a testament to good governance and public trust.”
Taking to X, Parliamentary panel Chief, Nishikant Dubey wrote, “My committee will call Meta for this disinformation. Misinformation in any democratic country tarnishes the image of the country. That organisation will have to apologise to the Indian Parliament and the people here for this mistake.”
मेरी कमिटि इस ग़लत जानकारी के लिए @Meta को बुलाएगी । किसी भी लोकतांत्रिक देश की ग़लत जानकारी देश की छवि को धूमिल करती है । इस गलती के लिए भारतीय संसद से तथा यहाँ की जनता से उस संस्था को माफ़ी माँगनी पड़ेगी https://t.co/HulRl1LF4z
— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) January 14, 2025
So far, Meta has not issued an official response on this matter.
