What happened: Kerala Chief Minister denies asking Meta to remove posts
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan denied allegations that Kerala (Satheesan and the Kerala government) asked Meta to remove Facebook posts and news items related to Satheesan and the Congress-led UDF (United Democratic Front) government. The controversy centres on claims that removed items were linked to arrests of Youth Congress leaders in synthetic drug-peddling cases and were posted on Meta-managed platforms.
Satheesan’s denial included these specific points:
• Satheesan said no request was made to Meta for removal of posts or news reports about Satheesan or the UDF government. • Satheesan rejected the opposition claim that Kerala created an “undeclared social media emergency” through removals connected to Youth Congress arrests in synthetic drug-peddling cases. • Satheesan suggested that some removals may have followed meetings between Meta officials and the Union government. • Satheesan acknowledged that some news items favourable to him were also removed. • Satheesan said the only request he made to Meta was for Meta to grant access to the official CMO Kerala Instagram page, and Satheesan stated that no decision had been taken even after two months. • Satheesan advised affected news channels to file complaints with Meta. • Satheesan argued that social media cannot be silenced by removing a few posts.
Background and earlier position: opposition allegation of a “social media emergency”
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) alleged that the Kerala government created an “undeclared social media emergency” by removing posts and news reports related to the arrests of Youth Congress leaders in synthetic drug-peddling cases. In the dispute between political parties, the LDF linked removals on Meta platforms to state action, while Satheesan denied such a Kerala request.