Deeply upset by Andreessen’s views, says Zuckerberg

However, his board member Marc Andreessen was quick to criticize the verdict. On Thursday, Zuckerberg said the comments were “deeply upsetting” and did not represent the company’s thinking.

“I want to respond to Marc Andreessen’s comments about India on Wednesday. I found the comments deeply upsetting, and they do not represent the way Facebook or I think at all,” Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post. His comments came after Andreessen made an objectionable tweet after TRAI ruled against Facebook’s free but restricted internet programme. 

“Anti-colonialism has been economically catastrophic for the Indian people for decades. Why stop now?” Andreessen tweeted, immediately evoking a sharp reaction from Indians. Andreessen quickly deleted the tweet and apologised through a series of tweets.   

“Last night on Twitter, I made an ill-informed and ill-advised comment about Indian politics and economics,” he said later in a series of tweets. As the controversy refused to die down, Zuckerberg tried to distance himself from the comments. “India has been personally important to me and Facebook. Early on in my thinking about our mission, I travelled to India and was inspired by the humanity, spirit and values of the people. 

It solidified my understanding that when all people have the power to share their experiences, the entire world will make progress,” Zuckerberg wrote. Facebook stands for helping to connect people and giving them voice to shape their own future, he said. 

“But to shape the future we need to understand the past. As our community in India has grown, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the need to understand India’s history and culture,” Zuckerberg said. 

“I’ve been inspired by how much progress India has made in building a strong nation and the largest democracy in the world, and I look forward to strengthening my connection to the country,” Zuckerberg wrote.