NHRC issues notice to Meta, MeitY and Etah administration over minors in objectionable videos
NHRC has sought responses from Meta, MeitY and Etah district authorities over a complaint that minors were scripted into objectionable, politically sensitive Instagram videos.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to Meta, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Etah district administration in Uttar Pradesh over a complaint that minor children were repeatedly scripted and featured in objectionable and politically sensitive social media videos.
The notice, issued on Monday, September 28, 2026, was taken up by a bench presided over by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo. It cites a complaint from the Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation alleging that children, including those from socially and economically vulnerable backgrounds, were tutored and made to appear in videos containing abusive, derogatory and politically charged expressions. The content was subsequently uploaded and circulated publicly, the complaint states, with the aim of drawing digital reach and engagement.
The complaint flagged concerns over the children's dignity, privacy and psychological well-being, as well as the question of informed parental consent and the possibility of exploitation by adults who controlled or facilitated the content. The videos are linked to an Instagram account stated to be operated from Etah district.
The commission has sought action-taken reports from the authorities concerned within two weeks.
The Superintendent of Police, Etah, has been directed to identify the children, ensure their protection and counselling, and investigate the roles of those allegedly involved in scripting, recording, uploading and circulating the videos. The police have also been asked to register an FIR if a cognisable offence is disclosed and to preserve the relevant digital evidence.
The District Magistrate has been instructed to ensure appropriate care, protection and rehabilitation measures through the Child Welfare Committee and the District Child Protection Unit.
Meta has been asked to explain how the content was repeatedly uploaded and circulated, whether it generated any monetisation or commercial benefit, and what steps were taken to preserve the relevant digital evidence and address the material.
MeitY has been directed to examine the platform's due diligence, child-safety and grievance-redressal mechanisms.