CM Orders Action Against Controversial Wikipedia Content on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the state’s Cyber Police to take immediate action against controversial content on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj found on Wikipedia. The move comes after widespread outrage among Shivbhaktas (devotees of Shivaji Maharaj) and history enthusiasts, who are demanding the removal of what they deem inappropriate and misleading information.
The controversy emerged amid the buzz surrounding the upcoming Bollywood film Chhava, starring Vicky Kaushal and directed by Laxman Utekar. The film, which highlights the courage and sacrifices of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has been well-received by audiences. With Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary approaching on February 19, the film’s release has further amplified discussions on the legacy of the Maratha warrior.
छत्रपति संभाजी महाराज इनको लेकर विकिपीडिया पर लिखी गई विवादित बातों का हम निषेध करते हैं, राज्य सरकार ने आईजी साइबर को विकिपीडिया से बात कर विवादित बातों को हटाकर सही जानकारी प्रेषित करने का आदेश दिया है।
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 18, 2025
(मीडिया से संवाद | मुंबई | 18-2-2025)#Maharashtra #Mumbai… pic.twitter.com/YRZwOD7hDR
CM’s Response and Action Plan
Reacting to the issue, CM Fadnavis stated, “There is inappropriate content about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj on the English version of Wikipedia. I have instructed the Inspector General of Cyber Police to take necessary actions and reach out to Wikipedia for further measures. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj is our ideal, and we will not tolerate any disrespectful representation of him.”
Acknowledging Wikipedia’s independent editorial policies, the Chief Minister mentioned that authorities would examine editorial rights concerning historical figures and propose guidelines to prevent the distortion of historical facts.
“The boundaries of media have changed with the rise of social media. While freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it is not absolute and should not infringe upon others’ rights. Discussions are ongoing to frame guidelines regarding such issues, and immediate action will be taken regarding the content on Wikipedia,” he added.
Debate Intensifies on Social Media
Amid the controversy, film critic Kamran Akmal Khan has stirred further debate by claiming that the contentious information on Wikipedia is factually accurate. Sharing a screenshot of the disputed content on his X (formerly Twitter) account, he asserted, “This is history, and it is true.” The shared content, which reportedly discusses the relationship between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, is now widely circulating online.
With tensions rising over the issue, all eyes are now on the Cyber Police’s next steps and Wikipedia’s response to the growing demand for content correction.
