Why Wikipedia is in trouble over content on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

Wikipedia has come under scanner in India over “objectionable” content on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Cyber Cell of Maharashtra Police has now registered a case in relation to the matter.

This is not the first time the online platform has landed in a soup in India. Last November, the Central government issued a notice to Wikipedia flagging concerns related to “bias” and “inaccuracies” on the site. This came after the Delhi High Court had dubbed Wikipedia’s open editing feature “dangerous” while hearing a defamation lawsuit.

But what is going on now? Let’s take a look.

Wikipedia in trouble in Maharashtra

Wikipedia is in hot water again. The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has lodged a case against at least four editors of the platform for failing to take down “objectionable” content on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, officials said on Friday (February 21).

This comes after a notice was sent to the Wikimedia Foundation, based in the United States’ California, seeking the removal of the content from Wikipedia. However, there was no reply from Wikimedia, a non-profit organisation that hosts the open-source encyclopedia, reported PTI.

The Cyber Cell had shot off 15 emails to Wikipedia but it did not respond to any, leading to police action, according to News18.

The Maharashtra Cyber Cell then registered a case against four editors of Wikipedia under Sections 69 and 79 of the Information Technology Act, as per India Today.

Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia, is created and edited by volunteers across the world.

What about the content?

In its notice to Wikimedia, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell said the content on Wikipedia about Sambhaji was “inaccurate” and could lead to a law-and-order situation in the state where the Maratha leader is a highly revered figure.

The notice warned the information could also stoke unrest among his followers. “Given the gravity of the situation and its potential impact if not addressed in a timely manner, you are hereby directed, under the powers vested in this office by the relevant laws and regulations, to remove the objectionable content and prevent its re-uploading in the future,” the letter said, as per the News18 report.

The police’s action comes after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Tuesday he had ordered the cyber police to approach Wikipedia and ask it to take down “objectionable” content about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

When asked about some organisations in the state objecting to the alleged wrong information, he told reporters that “distortion of history on open-source platforms such as Wikipedia would not be tolerated.”

“I have asked the Inspector General of Maharashtra cyber cell to communicate with Wikipedia officials and ask them to remove the objectionable matter against Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. We will not tolerate such writings on open-source platforms where historical facts are distorted. I have ordered the officials to take whatever steps that are required to be taken,” Fadnavis was quoted as saying by PTI.

The Maharashtra CM also noted that Wikipedia is not run from India and is operated by volunteers who have editorial rights. “We can ask them to put in place some regulations that will stop such distortion of facts,” he added.

The controversy comes amid the success of the recent Bollywood movie Chhava , which is based on the life of Sambhaji Maharaj, featuring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna.

With inputs from agencies