GUWAHATI: Meta India issued an apology on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, after CEO Mark Zuckerberg inaccurate statement during a podcast that the incumbent Indian government lost power in the 2024 elections. The company clarified that this was an "inadvertent error."
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In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Meta India Vice President Shivnath Thukral clarified that Zuckerberg's observation about the trend of incumbent governments losing re-election in several countries post-COVID did not apply to India. Thukral apologised for the error and reaffirmed Meta's commitment to India's innovative future."
"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," he further said.
The apology followed criticism from Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who on January 13, called Zuckerberg's statement as "factually incorrect" in a post on X. Vaishnaw emphasised the successful democratic process of the 2024 Indian elections with over 640 million voters and reaffirmed public trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the NDA government.
"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, 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."
