NEW DELHI — Social media giant Meta has reinstated a video address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Facebook, admitting that its temporary removal was caused by a technical glitch. The clarification came shortly after the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) summoned Meta’s global head of public policy to explain the sudden restriction placed on the Indian leader's official content.
"The content was removed in error and has since been restored," a Meta spokesperson stated on Tuesday, addressing the brief takedown that triggered widespread scrutiny.
The video in question—originally published on July 23—captured PM Modi’s address directed at youth during an ongoing nationwide discussion on student grievances and institutional integrity regarding examination paper leaks. In the address, the Prime Minister assured students that stringent regulatory measures to curb paper leaks were slated for approval during an upcoming Cabinet meeting.
Before access was abruptly restricted on Facebook early Tuesday morning, the video had already amassed millions of views. Access had initially been restricted with a notification suggesting a response to a legal or administrative flag. However, Meta clarified that the system action was erroneous rather than a deliberate compliance move.
The viral momentum of the address significantly boosted the Prime Minister's social media presence across platforms, adding approximately one million new followers to his Instagram profile overnight and pushing his total count past the 100-million mark.
Prime Minister Modi continues to hold one of the largest digital footprints among world leaders globally, far outpacing many international peers across major social platforms. Following Meta's rectification, the video remains fully accessible to the public on Facebook.
