The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has registered a case against four Wikipedia editors for failing to remove allegedly objectionable content about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj from the open-source encyclopedia. This action follows a notice sent to the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organisation that hosts Wikipedia, requesting the removal of inaccurate information.

Officials reported that the cyber police took action due to concerns that the misinformation could trigger unrest in Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is a highly revered figure in Maratha history. The state government feared that historical distortions on Wikipedia could create a law-and-order situation among his followers.

Following these concerns, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the cyber cell to approach Wikipedia and demand the removal of misleading historical details. In response, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell formally sent a notice to Wikimedia, warning that such content should be taken down to prevent public unrest.

Despite the official notice, Wikipedia did not respond, leading the Maharashtra Cyber Cell to register a case against at least four editors of the platform. The editors have been booked under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act for not taking corrective action.

The controversy gained momentum following the release of the Hindi film “Chhaava”, based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Various organisations flagged historical inaccuracies in Wikipedia articles soon after the movie's premiere, prompting state authorities to intervene.

Expressing a strong stance against misinformation, CM Devendra Fadnavis stated that distortion of history on open-source platforms like Wikipedia would not be tolerated.

"I have instructed the Inspector General of Maharashtra Cyber Cell to communicate with Wikipedia officials and ensure the removal of the objectionable content regarding Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. We will not tolerate distortions of historical facts on such platforms," Fadnavis asserted.

The case against Wikipedia editors marks a significant step in addressing concerns over misinformation and historical distortions on digital platforms. As Wikipedia is a crowdsourced encyclopedia, the incident highlights the challenges of maintaining historical accuracy in publicly editable content. The legal proceedings will now determine the consequences for the editors who failed to act on the government’s request.