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Meta Issues Apology for CEO Zuckerberg’s 'Inadvertent Error' About India's 2024 Election

Meta addressed the backlash over its CEO Mark Zuckerberg's remarks during a podcast with Joe Rogan. The Facebook company has recently issued a public apology.

By Ishita Ganguly
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Mark Zuckerberg

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Meta India has addressed the backlash over its CEO’s remarks during a podcast with Joe Rogan. The Facebook company has recently issued a public apology over CEO Mark Zuckerberg's controversial comments on India's 2024 general elections.  

Mark Zuckerberg's opinion about India's 2024 general elections

During a podcast with US-based host Joe Rogan, the American internet billionaire claimed that public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic paved the defeat of most incumbent administrations, including India’s.  

Union Minister reacts

Zuckerberg’s remarks, made in reference to the global political climate initiated heavy criticism in India. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology said that the Meta boss was "factually incorrect" and expressed disappointment.

"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," Vaishnaw said.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, head of the parliamentary committee on communications and information technology, announced plans to summon Meta representatives. "Incorrect information tarnishes the image of any democratic country," Dubey said, adding that Meta must apologise to the Indian Parliament and its people. 

Meta India clarifies and apologises

Shivnath Thukral, Meta India’s Vice President of Public Policy, addressed the controversy in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on 14 January, saying Zuckerberg’s statement was an "inadvertent error". 

Thukral clarified, "Mark’s observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in the 2024 elections holds true for several countries, BUT not India." 

He also reaffirmed Meta’s commitment to India, describing it as an "incredibly important country" and stressing the company’s interest in being an integral part of India’s innovation journey.  

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Tags: India