Maharashtra Police Notice To Wikipedia Over ‘Objectionable’ Content On Sambhaji Maharaj

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister has asked Cyber Police to send a notice to the US-based Wikipedia Foundation, requesting to remove the “objectionable” content about Maratha Empire king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj from the Wikipedia page.

The objections arose after the release of the Hindi film Chhava, which depicts the life of Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Maratha Empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the state police to approach Wikipedia and request the removal of the disputed content. “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 by TOI as saying.

The Chief Minister also emphasised the need for responsible use of freedom of expression, stating that “freedom of expression is not unlimited, and cannot encroach on the freedom of others.”
In response, the Maharashtra Cyber, the state’s cyber and information security division, has sent a notice to the Wikimedia Foundation in California, requesting the removal of the objectionable content about Sambhaji Maharaj, officials told TOI.

The letter pointed out that “this misinformation is causing unrest among his followers and could potentially lead to a law and order situation”. “Given the gravity of the situation and its potential impact if not addressed promptly, 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,” it stated, as per the report.

“This notice is being served on you under section 79 (3) (b) of IT Act 2000 r/w the Information and Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules 2011, which makes you liable to be charged under section 85(2) of the Information Technology Act 2000,” it stated.