‘There’s limit to free speech’: Fadnavis orders action against Wikipedia content | India News

Devendra Fadnavis (File picture)

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Davendra Fadnavis on Tuesday directed the state cyber police to strategy Wikipedia to take away “objectionable” content about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of the revered Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Fadnavis mentioned distortion of historical past on open-source platforms equivalent to Wikipedia wouldn’t be tolerated.
“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 instructed information company PTI.
The action by the state authorities comes within the backdrop of the recently-released Hindi movie “Chhaava”, based mostly on the lifetime of Sambhaji Maharaj.
Acknowledging that Wikipedia doesn’t function from India, and is managed by volunteers who’ve editorial rights, Fadnavis mentioned: “We can ask them to put in place some regulations that will stop such distortion of facts.”
“There is no geographical jurisdiction for social media. It was there earlier. We will discuss this with the Union government,” he mentioned.
There is not any “uncontrolled freedom of expression”, mentioned Fadnavis, who holds the house portfolio. “When obscenity crosses limits, action can be taken,” he added.
The chief minister additionally warned against unauthorized sharing of cupboard agenda paperwork earlier than a cupboard assembly. “I have instructed the offices of ministers not to share cabinet agenda beforehand. I will have to take action if this continues. Do not break the law,” he mentioned.