New Delhi, Meta (Facebook) has hosted advertisements laden with hate speech, misinformation, and Islamophobia sponsored by pro-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pages on its platform, raising concerns over potential violations of Indian election laws.
According to Kashmir Media Service, these ads were running during the current Lok Sabha elections when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in force, suggesting non-compliance with regulations.
A report titled “Slander, Lies, and Incitement: India’s Million Dollar Election Meme Network” by three human rights advocacy groups, Foundation the London Story (TLS), Eko, and India Civil Watch International (ICWI), reveals that these ads depict Muslims as sexually violent invaders, instigators of communal riots, and patrons of terror. They also promote Hindu supremacist narratives, claiming that India should be a Hindu nation, with aggressive rhetoric against the BJP’s opposition, including labeling them as “demons” and “poisonous snakes.”
The ads also target women lawmakers, journalists, and activists, branding them as “anti-India.” Key opposition figures such as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Rahul Gandhi, and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi were among those targeted in the advertisements.
The report found that over 90 days, 22 far-right shadow advertisers spent one million US dollars on Meta ads, accounting for nearly 22% of total “issues, elections, or politics” advertisements in India during the same period. These ads, containing hate speech, communal violence, and misinformation, amassed between 65-66 million impressions.
The researchers identified a coordinated network led by a public page named Ulta Chashma, which had nine other pages sharing content, hashtags, and ad payments. This network garnered over 10 million interactions and nearly 35 million video views within 90 days, indicating a breach of Meta’s ad transparency policy.
Dr. Ritumbra Manuvie, Executive Director of Foundation the London Story, stated that this isn’t the first time they have raised concerns about hate speech and misinformation on Facebook, but the stakes are higher than ever as the elections approach. The report underscores the urgent need for Meta and Indian authorities to address the spread of hate speech and ensure compliance with election laws.