The Peace and Harmony Committee of Delhi’s Legislative Assembly on Tuesday initiated proceedings against Facebook officials. The committee has also decided to summon Ankhi Das, India head of Facebook, and other officials in view of the complaints received against the social media platform in the Delhi riots case.
Raghav Chadha, chairman of Peace and Harmony Committee, said that three people had given their testimonies in the meeting and it was also revealed that Facebook was working in the favour of the BJP. He also informed that the committee had taken cognizance of these complaints received against Facebook officials. “The witnesses that came before the committee have said that Facebook officials must be summoned before this committee so they can present their side and clarify their stance. This committee which was formed after the Delhi riots has received many complaints which said that Facebook did not remove hurtful content from its platform. This committee will call upon people from Facebook,” said Chadha.
Earlier this year, a deadly communal riot had taken place in the national capital and it has been alleged that Facebook deliberately ignored posts that were inflammatory. Facebook’s public policy director Anki Das has also been accused of ignoring the policy. The role of Facebook in those riots has to be investigated. The witnesses also raised concerns over the conduct of free and fair elections through selective functioning of Facebook. The social media platform has been facing criticisms over allegations of favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party to push its business goals in India.