Meta Apologises for Mark Zuckerberg's remark on India's 2024 election outcome
New Delhi: Meta has issued an apology after a remark made by its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, regarding India's 2024 general election sparked widespread criticism. In a statement, Meta India's Vice President for Public Policy, Shivanand Thukral, addressed the controversy, describing the remark as an "inadvertent error."
"Dear Honourable Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, 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," Thukral stated.
The apology follows strong reactions from Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. Minister Vaishnaw fact-checked Zuckerberg's claim that incumbents worldwide, including India, lost power during the 2024 elections. He pointed out that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a decisive third term in office.
"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," Vaishnaw posted on X (formerly Twitter). He further criticised Zuckerberg's comment, stating it was "factually incorrect."
Zuckerberg, during a podcast on January 10, claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic eroded trust in incumbent governments globally, citing India's elections as an example. He said, "2024 was a very big election year around the world and all these countries, India, had elections. The incumbents basically lost every single one."
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communication and Information Technology, called for Meta to be summoned for spreading misinformation. He also demanded an apology from the organisation to Parliament and the Indian public.
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Bhatkal: AITM to host national-level hackathon ‘CodeFest 2025’
Bhatkal: The Anjuman Institute of Technology and Management (AITM) is set to host AITM CodeFest 2025, a national-level hackathon aimed at bringing together some of the brightest minds in technology from across the country. Organized by the final-year students of AITM, the event will serve as a platform for innovation, creativity, and real-world problem-solving through technology.
The hackathon, open to tech enthusiasts and students from all over India, will feature a rigorous two-round process to ensure only the most talented and innovative teams make it to the final stage.
Event Structure
- First Round: Online Submission
Participants will submit ideas based on the provided themes and problem statements. Over 1,000 students from colleges across India are expected to participate in this round.
- Second Round: 24-Hour On-Campus Hackathon
Shortlisted teams will compete in an intense 24-hour hackathon at the AITM campus in Bhatkal. Approximately 25-30 teams, comprising the top 100 students, will be selected to participate in this final stage.
Event Timeline
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Registration Opens: December 25, 2024
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Registration Closes: January 20, 2025
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Idea Submission Period: January 21-31, 2025
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Team Shortlisting: February 3, 2025
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Final Hackathon: February 8, 2025
AITM CodeFest 2025 promises to be a celebration of innovation and technical excellence, providing a platform for participants to showcase their skills while addressing real-world challenges through technology. The event is expected to attract a vibrant mix of ideas and foster collaboration among some of India’s most promising young minds.
