Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has restored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video addressing the NEET paper leak issue after it was briefly removed from the platform due to what the company described as a technical error. The incident sparked widespread attention, prompting the Union Government to seek an explanation from the social media giant over the temporary removal of the Prime Minister’s official post.
Meta later clarified that the takedown was unintentional, apologised for the error, and reinstated the video on Facebook.
Video Was Briefly Removed
The video, shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focused on the government’s response to the NEET paper leak controversy, ongoing examination reforms, and proposed stricter laws to curb paper leaks. Shortly after it was posted, users found that the content had become unavailable on Facebook, triggering questions about the reason for its removal.
After reviewing the issue, Meta confirmed that the removal resulted from a technical glitch rather than any policy enforcement action.
Meta Apologises for the Error
In its response, Meta acknowledged that the Prime Minister’s video had been removed “in error” and apologised for the inconvenience. The company restored the content after identifying and rectifying the technical issue.
According to the company, the incident was not linked to content moderation decisions or violations of Facebook’s community standards.
Government Seeks Explanation
The temporary removal of the Prime Minister’s video prompted the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to seek clarification from Meta. Government officials reportedly expressed concern over how an official communication from the Prime Minister’s verified account could be taken down, even briefly.
According to reports, senior Meta representatives were asked to explain the circumstances that led to the incident.
Video Focused on NEET Paper Leak Reforms
In the video, Prime Minister Modi addressed students and young people regarding the NEET examination controversy. He reiterated that paper leaks are a serious threat to the future of students and assured citizens that the government would introduce stronger legal measures to protect the integrity of public examinations.
The address came amid nationwide discussions on examination reforms and the introduction of stricter anti-paper leak legislation.
Debate Over Platform Accountability
The incident has reignited discussions on the accountability of global technology companies in handling official government communications. While Meta maintains that the removal was caused by a technical malfunction, government sources indicated that they expect stronger safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The brief disappearance of the video also renewed debate over the balance between automated content moderation systems and the need for accuracy when handling posts from verified public institutions.
Matter Continues to Draw Attention
Although the video has now been restored and Meta has issued an apology, the incident continues to attract public and political attention. Officials have indicated that discussions with the company will continue as they review the circumstances surrounding the temporary removal.
The episode highlights the growing importance of reliable digital communication platforms, especially when they are used to convey official government messages on issues of national significance such as education reforms and examination security.
