‘What is Modiji so afraid of?’ Rahul Gandhi accuses Meta of blocking Vijay oath video

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday has alleged that a video linked to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s oath-taking ceremony was blocked and later removed by Meta platforms, raising questions about content moderation and possible political bias.

The controversy revolves around a video reportedly showing Rahul Gandhi taking a selfie while Vijay placed a shawl around him during the high-profile swearing-in ceremony in Chennai. The clip, which had been widely circulated on social media, was later said to have been taken down from Meta-owned platforms.

In an Instagram story, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the content was deliberately restricted. He wrote:

“FIRST THEY BLOCKED THE REEL. THEN THEY PULLED DOWN EVEN THE STORY ASKING WHY IT WAS BLOCKED.”

He further questioned the rationale behind the action, asking what was “so threatening” about the video and suggesting that the move raised concerns about political interference. He also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi while questioning the intent behind such moderation decisions and asked ‘what he’s afraid of.’

Meta sources deny targeted action

However, Meta sources have reportedly denied any deliberate attempt to remove or block the specific video. According to them, no targeted takedown action was initiated against the content in question, contradicting the allegation made by the Congress leader.

While no official detailed statement has been issued publicly by Meta on the specific clip, the company has generally maintained that content moderation decisions are based on platform policies, automated systems, and user reports.

The disputed video originates from the swearing-in ceremony of Vijay as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, a politically significant event following the Assembly elections in which his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as a major force. 
The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections were held in April–May 2026, with vote counting taking place on May 4, 2026 across all 234 constituencies in the state. The election saw a major political shift as the contest moved beyond the traditional dominance of the DMK and AIADMK, with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as a strong new political force.

TVK secured a majority and went on to form the government after post-election discussions and support from alliance partners. Following the declaration of results, actor-turned-politician Vijay was invited to form the government and took oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a ceremony held in Chennai.

The swearing-in event was organised at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and witnessed the presence of political leaders, party workers, and supporters from across the state.