New Delhi: Meta submitted an official apology, after The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY) summoned Meta’s global head of public policy, following the Facebook video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing students amid the NEET paper leak controversy was briefly blocked in India. Meta attributed the removal to a technical error. However, the Centre has considered the incident seriously and has sought a detailed explanation over the temporary takedown.
Meta faces government scrutiny over temporary takedown of PM video
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sought an explanation from Meta after a Facebook post featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to the youth was briefly removed from the platform before being restored. According to sources, the government has summoned Meta’s global head of public policy and is examining both the company’s explanation and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The video uploaded on July 23 in which the Prime Minister addressed students amid protests over the NEET-UG paper leak issue. During his address, PM Modi assured students that the government would take stringent action against those involved in examination irregularities and introduce stronger legal measures to prevent future paper leaks.
However, as the Meta tookdown the video, for a brief period, Facebook users in India attempting to access the video were shown a notice stating that the content had been withheld in the region following a legal request. However, Meta later clarified that the removal was accidental. “The content was removed in error and has since been restored”, a Meta spokesperson said, adding that the company regretted the mistake.
Government examining Meta’s explanation
Sources said that the government is treating the matter with utmost seriousness and is not satisfied with a mere explanation stating “technical glitch”. Officials are reportedly assessing whether additional Meta representatives and concerned executives may also be required to appear before the ministry to explain how the error occurred.
The incident also drew sharp reactions from BJP leaders, who questioned how a social media platform could temporarily restrict access to the Prime Minister’s official communication. BJP leader Tajinder Bagga criticised the move on social media and said that the Facebook had crossed the line by blocking the Prime Minister’s message from being viewed in India and questioning the authority of a foreign platform to restrict such content.
PM Modi’s message to youth
In the nearly three-minute video, PM Modi acknowledged the distress caused by examination paper leaks and assured students that the government viewed the issue with the highest priority. Describing paper leaks as a matter affecting lakhs of students and their families, the Prime Minister said the government had already initiated multiple steps over the previous two-and-a-half months.
He stated that directions had been issued to establish Fast-Track Courts and that a draft law proposing stringent punishment for those involved in paper leak cases would be placed before the Union Cabinet before being introduced in Parliament.
PM Modi also said the government had ensured that the academic year of nearly 22 lakh students remained unaffected by conducting examinations without unnecessary delay. He emphasised that the welfare and future of India’s youth remained the government’s foremost responsibility.
Accordingly, the Centre has introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing imprisonment of up to 10 years, enhanced financial penalties and the establishment of Special Fast-Track Courts to deal with offences related to examination malpractice.
