Meta Must Restore Fadnavis Video and Apologise: VHP
VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal slams Meta for blocking a video of CM Devendra Fadnavis and threatens legal action over the removal.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has sparked a confrontation with social media giant Meta, alleging that the company arbitrarily blocked a video featuring Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The VHP is now demanding the immediate restoration of the content and a formal public apology from the platform.
The Controversy Over the Blocked Video
According to VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal, the conflict began when the World Hindu Congress (WHC) uploaded a video to its Facebook and Instagram handles on October 26. The footage featured Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcoming delegates to the upcoming World Hindu Congress. However, the VHP claims that Meta blocked the video within just a few hours of its upload.
The tension escalated when the WHC attempted to post the video again on October 27, only for it to be removed once more by the platform. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Bansal questioned the legal basis for these actions, asking what specific offense or law had been violated to justify the removal of the clip.
“Meta must immediately restore the video and apologise publicly,” Bansal stated, describing the company's actions as unilateral and arbitrary.
Legal Threats and Government Intervention
The VHP is not treating this as a minor technical glitch. Vinod Bansal has warned that if Meta continues what he termed "anti-Hindu actions," the World Hindu Congress will be forced to pursue legal remedies. He emphasized that such "arbitrariness" is unacceptable in India and that the tech giant must be held accountable.
To ensure the matter is addressed at the highest levels, the VHP has taken the following steps:
- Filed complaints with the Central government.
- Notified the Mumbai Police and Delhi Police.
- Appealed to the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to intervene.
Simultaneously, the World Hindu Congress has written directly to Meta, seeking a formal explanation and transparency regarding the reasons for the restriction. They have demanded a clear response and an assurance that such removals will not recur in the future.
What is the World Hindu Congress?
The controversy comes ahead of the World Hindu Congress 2026, scheduled to take place in Mumbai from December 18 to 20. The event, themed “Samānaṃ Vrataṃ Saha Cittam” (Shared Commitment: Collective Resolve), is an initiative of Swami Vigyananand, Joint General Secretary of the VHP, and is organized by the World Hindu Foundation.
The congress serves as a global platform for Hindu leaders, thinkers, and activists. It is held every four years and has previously been hosted in New Delhi (2014), Chicago (2018), and Bangkok (2023).
Highlights of the 2026 Event:
- Participation: Limited to 4,000 registered delegates.
- Thematic Focus: Seven concurrent conferences covering Politics, Education, Economy, Media, Youth, Women, and Hindu Organisations.
- Confirmed Attendees: The event will see high-profile participation from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, CMs Devendra Fadnavis, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Mohan Yadav, as well as NSE CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan, EAC-PM member Sanjeev Sanyal, ReNew CEO Sumant Sinha, and poet Manoj Muntashir.