Maharashtra CM directs cyber police to get objectionable content on Sambhaji Maharaj removed from Wikipedia

“I have asked the inspector general of cyber cell to contact Wikipedia and bring it to their notice objectionable writing on Sambhaji Maharaj. They should be told to immediately delete these factually incorrect aspects,” he said.

The objection regarding highly revered King Sambhaji Maharaj came in the wake of the recently released film titled Chhaava. The film, based on the life of Sambhaji Maharaj, had a dance sequence which created an uproar. The film makers removed the sequence.

However, some social organisations raised objection over incorrect material on Sambhaji Maharaj on Wikipedia. The followers of Sambhaji Maharaj warned that if the content is not removed, they would protest.

Sambhaji Maharaj is the son of great warrior King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Both Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj are highly revered in Maharashtra and across country.

The chief minister said, “The Wikipedia is not managed or controlled by India. In India, its volunteers hold editorial rights. We can ask them to bring some regulations to avoid controversial and factually incorrect writings on their platform.”

“In the name of freedom of expression, objectionable writings cannot be allowed. At the same time, everybody has to be cautious about sentiments of others. The social media barriers and boundaries may have been broken, but there cannot be compromise on truth and factual information,” he said.
The chief minister assured that he would speak to the Central government on the issue.

“Action can be taken when obscenity crosses limits,” he said adding, “there is nothing like uncontrolled freedom.”