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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier directed the police to ask Wikipedia to take down the objectionable content on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
Wikipedia booked in Maharashtra (AFP file Image)
At least four Wikipedia editors were booked after they failed to respond to the Maharashtra Cyber Cell notice over “objectionable content” about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and did not take down the false information from the platform.
The Cyber Cell had sent a notice to Wikipedia, seeking a response. After three days of no response, the Cell filed a case against those who put the content online.
The police action comes after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the police to ask Wikipedia to take down the “objectionable content”. His move takes place at a time when a Hindi movie named ‘Chhaava’ based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj hit the theatres last week and has been having a dream run at the Box Office since.
According to sources, there are four to five people who gave wrong information about the great Maratha ruler.
The Cyber Cell had sent 15 emails to Wikipedia, however, the platform failed to respond to any of them, inviting police action on the matter.
Upon receiving no response, the Cyber Cell filed a case against the Wikipedia editors who put out the content.
‘Will Not Tolerate Historical Facts’ Distortion’: Fadnavis
Earlier, reacting sharply to the Wikipedia content row, Fadnavis said that his government would not tolerate the distortion of historical facts.
“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,” he had said.