Centre Says Meta's Explanation on PM Modi Video Removal 'Not Reasonable'

The Government of India has expressed dissatisfaction with Meta's explanation that a Facebook post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was removed 'in error', stating that the issue is 'far from settled' and requires further discussion.

Government sources told PTI that Meta's response was 'not reasonable', and that the government will continue engaging with the company over the incident. The development follows the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) summoning Meta's global head of public policy after the Prime Minister's post was briefly unavailable on Facebook.

The video, posted on July 23 during student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), featured PM Modi addressing young people and promising stricter measures against examination paper leaks. Meta reportedly attributed the removal to a glitch in its automated content filters. A Meta spokesperson said: 'The content was removed in error and has since been restored.'

In the video, Prime Minister Modi outlined the government's response to the NEET-UG controversy and pledged to strengthen the legal framework to tackle paper leak cases. He said: 'I have issued directions to departments to set up Fast-Track Courts,' adding that a draft legislation providing for stringent punishment and special courts would be discussed by the Cabinet before being introduced in Parliament. He also stated that steps had been taken to ensure the academic year of nearly 22 lakh students remained unaffected, reiterating that 'nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth.'

The video was released amidst nationwide protests over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks. The government later introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing tougher penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years, higher fines, and the creation of Special Fast-Track Courts for such offences.

The protests ended on July 25 after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Cabinet. The government also reached an agreement with the CJP and activist Sonam Wangchuk to withdraw cases against protesters, prevent police action against demonstrators, and introduce stronger anti-paper leak legislation.

The controversy dominated the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, with the Opposition demanding Pradhan's resignation and pressing for a detailed discussion on the NEET paper leak issue, leading to repeated disruptions in both Houses.