Meta apologises after PM Modi's Facebook video got briefly removed

Meta on Tuesday (July 28) apologised after a social media post featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi's selfie-style address to students was briefly taken down before being restored. The company said the removal was the result of a technical error, while the Centre has begun examining the episode and is seeking an explanation from senior Meta officials.

A Meta spokesperson said, "The content was removed in error and has since been restored,” reported India Today.

Centre seeks explanation

The report quoting sources further stated that the government is treating the matter with seriousness and is reviewing the circumstances behind the temporary removal. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has reportedly summoned the global heads of Meta and Instagram to explain how the incident occurred.

Also Read: PM Modi: New anti-paper leak Bill to be introduced in Parliament

The video, uploaded shortly after midnight on July 23, came as protests over the NEET-UG paper leak gathered pace across the country. Demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had intensified, and the Prime Minister directly addressed students through a social media video aimed at younger audiences.

PM's message to students

During the address, PM Modi assured students that the government was committed to tackling examination fraud and protecting their academic future.

"Friends, I know that paper leak is not an ordinary issue. It is very painful for lakhs of students and their families. That is why many steps have been taken in the last two and a half months," PM Modi said.

Also Read: The unmaking of Brand Modi: How ‘56-inch chested’ PM bowed to youth power

"The culprits have been caught and are in jail. Our most important responsibility was to ensure that students do not waste a single year. It was very important to take the exams immediately,” he added.

The Prime Minister said the government had deployed all available resources to conduct examinations for nearly 22 lakh NEET aspirants without delay. He also announced that stronger measures against paper leaks were being prepared, including stricter legal provisions, Fast-Track Courts, and a draft law proposing tougher punishments and special courts for such offences.

Video restored

He further stated that the proposed legislation would be placed before the Union Cabinet before being introduced in Parliament.

PM Modi stressed that "nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth."

Before the video was restored, Facebook users in India saw a notice stating that access had been withheld in the region following a legal request. The address had already attracted millions of views before it was briefly blocked.