'CJP got 30 million views, BJP only 10 mn': Parl panel chief alleges Meta promoting 'anti-democracy' content

A senior lawmaker from India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused social media platforms of promoting "anti-establishment" and "anti-democracy" content. Nishikant Dubey, who chairs a parliamentary committee on communications and information technology, alleged that platforms favored fringe groups over mainstream political parties.

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In the past one week, anti-reservation content got 8 million views, CJP got 30 million views, BJP got 10 million views, Congress got 15 million views, Samajwadi Party got 2 million views, and Aam Aadmi Party got 1 million views. Why are you promoting others in this manner.

Dubey cited data showing that the "Cockroach Janta Party," a social media movement, gained 30 million views in one week, significantly more than the BJP's 10 million views. He also noted that "anti-reservation content" received 8 million views, while the Congress party garnered 15 million, the Samajwadi Party 2 million, and the Aam Aadmi Party 1 million.

His comments follow a row over Meta briefly taking down Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video. Dubey called the incident serious and demanded an apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The parliamentary committee also recommended withdrawing "safe harbour" protection for social media platforms if they fail to curb child sexual abuse material and objectionable content targeting women, while also promoting "anti-national forces."

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If the content of the prime minister of this country can be taken down and kept deleted for five hours, from 12.30 am to 5.30 am, there cannot be a more serious issue than this. An apology will not suffice. Zuckerberg will have to apologise.

Dubey also expressed concern over the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in India, noting that social media companies do not disclose the number of users accessing their platforms through VPNs, which are strictly regulated in the country.

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The entire committee unanimously recommended that if you fail to take down child sexual abuse material, fail to remove objectionable content targeting women, and continue to promote anti-national forces while not giving due prominence to government content, your safe harbour protection will be withdrawn.