Fadnavis calls for the removal of objectionable references to Sambhaji Maharaj from Wikipedia.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed the State Cyber department to reach out to Wikipedia and ensure the removal of any objectionable content pertaining to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj from the website.

On February 18, 2025, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed a concerning issue regarding objectionable and derogatory content and references about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj on Wikipedia. He directed the State cyber police to take action and have these inappropriate materials removed from the open-source online encyclopedia.

The recent release of the Hindi film “Chhava,” based on a Marathi-language novel, has sparked discussions about Sambhaji Maharaj in the State. The film has received positive reviews and has been successful at the box office.

During a press conference in Mumbai on February 18, 2025, Chief Minister Fadnavis emphasized that the State will not tolerate any distortion of history on open-source platforms. He instructed the Inspector General of Maharashtra cyber cell to contact Wikipedia officials and request the removal of any content that disrespects Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

“We will not stand for inaccuracies or misrepresentations of historical facts on platforms like Wikipedia. Our officials have been instructed to take necessary actions to address this issue,” stated Mr. Fadnavis.

Acknowledging that Wikipedia is managed by volunteers with editorial rights and does not operate from India, the Chief Minister expressed the need for implementing regulations to prevent the distortion of historical facts. He emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity of historical information on such platforms.