New Delhi: Meta, parent company of Instagram, on Wednesday responded to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s criticism over comments made by CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding Indian elections. The Instagram parent company apologized for what it called an “inadvertent error” and emphasized India’s importance as a country for Meta’s future endeavors.
The row began when Zuckerberg, during his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, said how governments across the globe, including India, lost voter trust following the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, “A lot of people in the US focus on this as an American phenomenon, but I kind of think that the reaction to Covid probably caused a breakdown and trust in a lot of governments around the world because 2024 was a big election year around the world. And you know there are all these countries, India, just like a ton of countries that had elections, and the incumbents basically lost every single one of them [sic].”
India conducted 2024 elections with over 640 million voters: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw refuted Zuckerberg’s claims, calling them “factually incorrect” in a post on X. He highlighted the scale of India’s 2024 general elections and the trust reaffirmed in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Vaishnaw wrote, “As the world’s largest democracy, India conducted the 2024 elections with over 640 million voters. People of India reaffirmed their trust in NDA led by PM @narendramodi Ji’s leadership.”
As the world’s largest democracy, India conducted the 2024 elections with over 640 million voters. People of India reaffirmed their trust in NDA led by PM @narendramodi Ji’s leadership.
Mr. Zuckerberg’s claim that most incumbent governments, including India in 2024 elections,…
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) January 13, 2025
The minister further added, “Mr Zuckerberg’s claim that most incumbent governments, including India in 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.”
Meta issues apology on X
In response to the minister’s criticism, Shivanth Thukral, Meta’s vice-president for Public Policy, issued an apology on X, saying, “Dear Honourable Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw, Mark’s observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in 2024 elections holds true for several countries, BUT not India. We would like to apologise for this inadvertent error. India remains an incredibly important country for Meta and we look forward to being at the heart of its innovative future [sic].”
Dear Honourable Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw , Mark’s observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in 2024 elections holds true for several countries, BUT not India. We would like to apologise for this inadvertent error. India remains an incredibly important country…
— Shivnath Thukral (@shivithukral) January 14, 2025
