“Freedom of Expression Is Not Unlimited”: CM Devendra Fadnavis Orders Action on Wikipedia Content on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the state's cyber police to coordinate with Wikipedia over "objectionable" content related to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

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।

(मीडिया से संवाद | मुंबई | 18-2-2025)#Maharashtra#Mumbai… pic.twitter.com/YRZwOD7hDR

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 18, 2025

"I have informed the IG (Inspector-General of Police) Cyber about the objectionable writing on Wikipedia. They have (been) ordered to contact Wikipedia and take action...It is not operated from India," Fadnavis told reporters.

Noting that Wikipedia doesn't operate from India, Fadnavis suggested that a set of rules must be in place to avoid distortion of historical facts. "They have their own rules...We will give suggestions like this - instead of distorting historical things, create a rule...Freedom of expression is not unlimited. It cannot encroach on the freedom of others," the Maharashtra CM said.

The move comes after several organizations raised concerns about alleged historical inaccuracies on the platform, particularly following the release of the Bollywood film Chhaava, which portrays the life of Sambhaji, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.