Wikipedia's Legal Battle Over Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Content

Maharashtra Cyber has filed a case against Wikipedia editors for not removing controversial content about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The agency had previously requested the Wikimedia Foundation to take down the content, citing potential law-and-order issues. The situation arises amid the release of a film about Maharaj.

Maharashtra Cyber has initiated legal action against four Wikipedia editors for failing to take down disputed content regarding Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Officials announced this decision following the agency's formal notice to the Wikimedia Foundation, in which they requested the removal of contentious material from the encyclopedia.

The Wikimedia Foundation, a California-based non-profit that runs Wikipedia, was urged to act due to concerns that the content was inaccurate and might incite legal and societal unrest within the state. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of the Maratha Empire's founder, holds a venerable status in India, making the information especially sensitive.

The agency emphasized that the content might stir unrest among Maharaj's followers, a move propelled by the recent release of the Hindi film "Chhaava," which portrays his life. With no response from Wikimedia, Maharashtra Cyber proceeded to file the case under relevant sections of the IT Act.

(With inputs from agencies.)