A formal First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against the head of Meta India following allegations that the company's social media platform facilitated the spread of content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The complaint was lodged by a BJP worker, who claims that the platform allowed the dissemination of posts deemed offensive to the Prime Minister. This follows a broader controversy involving the removal of Modi's video from Facebook, which sparked outrage among political figures and prompted calls for accountability from social media giants. The FIR was reportedly submitted after a BJP member, Nishikant Dubey, who chairs the parliamentary standing committee on communications and information technology, raised concerns about the promotion of "anti-establishment" and "anti-democracy" content on social media platforms. Dubey highlighted a disparity in the reach of different political entities, citing that the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a social media-driven movement, gained significantly more views compared to mainstream parties. According to Dubey, CJP content attracted 30 million views in a week, whereas the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded only 10 million views. He accused Meta of disproportionately amplifying non-mainstream narratives, suggesting a potential bias in content moderation practices. In addition to the content moderation issue, Dubey expressed alarm over the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and criticized social media companies for not disclosing user access statistics via such services. His concerns were amplified by the recent removal of Modi's video from Facebook, an incident that Dubey condemned as a serious breach of free speech and democratic principles. He emphasized that the takedown occurred overnight, from 12:30 AM to 5:30 AM, and called for a public apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, asserting that such an act undermines the integrity of democratic discourse. Dubey also directed his criticisms toward the lack of enforcement of laws aimed at curbing harmful content, particularly material related to the exploitation of women and children. During a meeting of the parliamentary panel, he proposed the withdrawal of "safe harbour" protections granted to social media platforms under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Dubey explained that these protections were originally intended to shield traditional internet service providers from liability but were extended to newer digital platforms. He argued that the current legal framework allows social media companies to avoid responsibility for illegal content, despite the enactment of subsequent laws designed to hold intermediaries accountable. Meanwhile, the government has summoned the global team of Meta in India, according to IT Secretary S Krishnan. This move comes amid growing pressure to regulate social media more effectively and ensure compliance with local laws. The government's stance reflects a broader push to assert greater control over digital spaces, especially in light of incidents like the removal of Modi's video and the alleged disproportionate promotion of certain political narratives. Separately, BJP MP Raghav Chadha has spoken out in support of measures aimed at preventing exam paper leaks, emphasizing the need for institutional solutions to address the issue. Chadha, who recently joined the BJP after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), praised the government's efforts to introduce stricter penalties for such violations. The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, has been passed by both houses of parliament, imposing severe consequences for those involved in leaking examination materials. Under the new law, offenders could face prison terms ranging from five to ten years, alongside hefty fines. These developments underscore the complex interplay between politics, social media regulation, and public sentiment in contemporary India. As debates over content moderation and digital rights intensify, the actions of tech companies and the responses of policymakers will remain under close scrutiny.
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