Delhi riots case: Facebook India seeks 14-day extension to appear before Delhi assembly over summons

Earlier, the committee stated in a letter to the social media giant that it would focus on the firm's role in combating misleading and harmful statements that might cause conflict in society.

Facebook India has requested a 14-day extension to appear before the Delhi Assembly's Committee on Peace and Harmony, which had called the social media giant to send a senior official to speak on the national capital's riots in February 2020 on November 2. The public policy head of Facebook India has requested an extension to allow the organisation to assure the availability of senior personnel with the necessary knowledge to give the Committee with the necessary facts. In an email sent to committee, they stated they're selecting an appropriate officer for it.

The request comes after Delhi Assembly committee summoned Facebook India representatives on Tuesday to testify on November 18 over their participation in the national capital's riots in February 2020. Earlier, the committee stated in a letter to the social media giant that it would focus on the firm's role in combating misleading and harmful statements that might cause conflict in society. It went on to say that because Facebook has lakhs of users in the NCT of Delhi, the committee has chosen to hear from representatives of Facebook India.

The letter also mentioned that several people, including journalists, former officials, and community leaders, had come before the committee to provide evidence and recommendations. It was also said that the committee thinks that social media plays an essential role in preventing the transmission of misleading, inflammatory, and harmful statements, which can incite violence and conflict.

The committee has requested that the social media business send competent senior executives who are well-versed in the subject matter. Due to the Covid-19 scenario, it has also requested that Facebook limit the number of representatives to a bare minimum. In June, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal submitted by Facebook India MD Ajit Mohan against a summons issued by a Delhi Assembly panel in the 2020 Delhi riots case. Mohan had petitioned the Supreme Court for a stay of execution on the warrant issued by the Delhi Assembly's Peace and Harmony committee.