World Hindu Congress asks police and MeitY to question Meta after Fadnavis's invitation video is blocked twice
Organisers say Meta cited only "legal requirements" under the IT Rules without naming the provision or policy used.
- The Tribune
- Deccan Herald (PTI)
- The Times of India
The World Hindu Congress (WHC) has approached the Mumbai Police, the Delhi Police and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) seeking an explanation from Meta over the removal of a video in which Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis invites Hindus to its Mumbai conference, The Tribune reported. "The video was uploaded on Facebook, Instagram and other platforms on October 26.
Within hours, it became unavailable for viewing in India, with a notification citing legal requirements under the applicable Information Technology Rules," the organisers said in a statement. They said the video was re-uploaded that night but removed again on October 27.
The WHC alleged that Meta did not specify the legal provision or platform policy under which it acted, and said it suspected that "bias against Hindu causes may have been a factor", according to Deccan Herald. It has written to Meta seeking a formal explanation, restoration of the video and an assurance that moderation rules will be applied without religious or ideological bias, The Times of India reported.
The organisers have also asked the authorities to examine whether the action complied with the law. Meta's response was not reported.
The congress will be held in Mumbai from December 18 to 20 under the theme "Samānaṃ Vrataṃ Saha Cittam", rendered by organisers as "Shared Commitment: Collective Resolve". It will have seven parallel conferences on the economy, education, media, politics, women, youth and Hindu organisations, with participation capped at 4,000 registered delegates.
Organised by the World Hindu Foundation, it is an initiative of Swami Vigyananand, joint general secretary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, TOI said. Organisers listed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Mr Fadnavis, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav among those who have confirmed participation.
Key data
Video posted 26 Oct, restricted within hours, removed again 27 Oct; WHC Mumbai on 18 to 20 Dec 2026; 7 parallel conferences; cap of 4,000 delegates; earlier editions Delhi 2014, Chicago 2018, Bangkok 2023.
Why it matters
The dispute goes to how global platforms treat Hindu religious and community content in India, and a reply from MeitY or Meta could set a marker for how such takedowns are explained. The claim of bias is the organisers' and has not been tested.
GK: did you know?
The Vishva Hindu Parishad, whose joint general secretary founded the World Hindu Congress, was itself founded on 29 August 1964 at Sandipani Sadhanalaya in Powai, Mumbai, on Janmāṣṭamī.
