Meta India MD Arun Srinivas has found himself at the centre of a major controversy following the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook content and an FIR linked to allegedly morphed posts. Here's why the Meta India chief is making headlines and what it means for Big Tech in India.
The spotlight has shifted from social media platforms to the executives leading them. In the latest development, Arun Srinivas, Managing Director and Head of Meta India, has become the focus of nationwide attention after two separate incidents involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's content on Meta-owned platforms—Facebook and Instagram.
Begining of the controversy
The controversy began when a Facebook post by Prime Minister Modi was briefly removed or restricted before being restored. Meta described the incident as an inadvertent technical error, but the explanation did little to calm the political storm. The Indian government reportedly summoned Meta representatives, seeking a detailed explanation over the removal of the Prime Minister's content.
Escalation of the issue
The issue escalated further when Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police registered an FIR naming Arun Srinivas along with several social media account operators over complaints related to the circulation of allegedly AI-generated, morphed and objectionable content targeting PM Modi on Facebook and Instagram. The investigation is currently underway, and authorities are examining whether the platforms complied with legal obligations regarding the reported content.
Who Is Arun Srinivas?
Arun Srinivas is the Managing Director and Head of Meta India, responsible for overseeing the company's operations across one of its largest global markets. He assumed the role in July 2025, succeeding Sandhya Devanathan after previously leading Meta India's advertising business. Before joining Meta, Srinivas held leadership positions at Hindustan Unilever, Reebok and Ola, building a reputation as one of India's prominent business executives.
Why Is This Meta India Controversy Significant?
The case has sparked a wider debate over Big Tech accountability in India. While governments have frequently directed social media platforms to remove unlawful or harmful content, it is relatively uncommon for the local head of a multinational technology company to be personally named in a criminal investigation related to platform content.
The controversy also comes at a time when AI-generated misinformation and deepfake content are becoming increasingly difficult to monitor. As governments tighten regulations on digital platforms, companies like Meta face mounting pressure to strike a balance between protecting free expression and preventing the spread of manipulated or illegal content.
For Arun Srinivas, the controversy marks one of the biggest challenges of his leadership at Meta India. Whether the investigation leads to legal consequences remains uncertain, but it has already reignited questions about platform responsibility, executive accountability and the future of content moderation in India.
As India strengthens its oversight of digital platforms, the debate is no longer limited to what appears online. It is increasingly about who should be held accountable when controversial content slips through the cracks—the users, the platform or the people leading the company.