Maharashtra Cyber Cell claimed that the content on Sambhaji Maharaj's Wikipedia page was inaccurate.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has lodged a case against at least four editors of Wikipedia for failing to take down “objectionable” content on Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj even after over 10 emails and notices were sent to the company, according to an NDTV report.
Since the release of Hindi film Chhava, starring Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, and Rashmika Mandanna, various organisations flagged alleged historical distortions. Chhava is based on the life of Sambhaji Maharaj.
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The Cyber Cell had sent notices to the California-based Wikimedia Foundation requesting the removal of the content on Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to NDTV’s sources, only an automatic reply was received, but no action was taken by the editors.
Wikimedia Foundation hosts the free online encyclopedia.
Following the same, a case was filed against the editors. It stated that Wikipedia had allegedly violated Sections 69 and 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which governs the government’s power to monitor and intercept online information.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought police action and said that such content on open-source platforms where historical facts were allegedly distorted won’t be tolerated.
“Freedom of expression is not unlimited. It cannot encroach on the freedom of others,” said Fadnavis.
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The notice by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell claimed that the content on the Wikipedia page was inaccurate and could lead to a potential law-and-order situation in the state, reported NDTV. The notice also stated that the information on the page could lead to unrest among Sambhaji Maharaj’s followers.
Wikipedia is a free-content online encyclopaedia that operates independently of India. Wikipedia articles are maintained, edited, and updated by volunteers.
