Wikipedia in India#Indian government and Wikipedia

Wikimedia in India refers to all the Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects which are of special interest to people in India or interested in topics relating to India.

Content in languages of India

Wikipedia has different versions for various languages in India. These language Wikipedia versions have their own culture and history of development.

Hindi and English language versions are the most popular in India.{{cite web |last1=Sibal |first1=Sidhant |title=EXCLUSIVE - Wikipedia founder sees enormous potential in India; brushes aside Elon Musk's criticism |url=https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/exclusive-wikipedia-founder-sees-enormous-potential-in-india-brushes-aside-elon-musks-criticism-509660 |website=wionews.com |publisher=WION |language=en |date=24 August 2022 |access-date=5 September 2022 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908144408/https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/exclusive-wikipedia-founder-sees-enormous-potential-in-india-brushes-aside-elon-musks-criticism-509660 |url-status=live }}

The Wikimedia chapter in India organized the Wikimedia community to establish Santhali language Wikipedia in August 2018.{{cite web |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Snigdhendu |title=Santhali becomes India’s first tribal language to get own Wikipedia edition |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/santhali-becomes-india-s-first-tribal-language-to-get-own-wikipedia-edition/story-fUP5LRZI0lEBlVGNCjW5cK.html |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |date=9 August 2018 |access-date=1 September 2019 |archive-date=22 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222174300/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/santhali-becomes-india-s-first-tribal-language-to-get-own-wikipedia-edition/story-fUP5LRZI0lEBlVGNCjW5cK.html |url-status=live }} This was part of an effort to feature a tribal language.

Google advises Wikipedia and suggests topics on which Wikimedia community volunteers should write articles, based on the most frequent Google search terms.{{cite web |last1=S |first1=Ribhu |title=Can Wikipedia Overcome Gender Gap As It Looks To Translate Articles In Indian Languages? |url=https://inc42.com/features/can-wikipedia-overcome-gender-gap-as-it-looks-to-translate-articles-in-indian-languages/ |website=Inc42 Media |date=3 June 2019 |access-date=1 September 2019 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901211437/https://inc42.com/features/can-wikipedia-overcome-gender-gap-as-it-looks-to-translate-articles-in-indian-languages/ |url-status=live }}

In September 2019 the Ministry of Science and Technology expressed an intent to promote the development of Hindi language Wikipedia articles on sciences.{{cite web |last1=Koshy |first1=Jacob |title=Science Ministry to go on a Hindi Wikipedia blitz |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/science-ministry-to-go-on-a-hindi-wikipedia-blitz/article29402577.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=12 September 2019 |access-date=13 September 2019 |archive-date=12 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912184303/https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/science-ministry-to-go-on-a-hindi-wikipedia-blitz/article29402577.ece |url-status=live }}

Health experts have collaborated with Wikipedia editors to share information about vaccines in local language.{{cite web |last1=Surya |first1=Jisha |title=Antidote for a stigma |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/antidote-for-a-stigma/ |website=Times of India Blog |date=22 October 2016 |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-date=29 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129033724/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/antidote-for-a-stigma/ |url-status=live }}

Readers of various languages have differing interests. For example, in 2019 "Shivaji" was the most popular article in Marathi Wikipedia,{{cite web |last1=Sukumar |first1=Tanay |title=Shivaji Maharaj top page on Marathi Wikipedia, Guru Granth Sahib on Punjabi |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/shivaji-maharaj-top-page-on-marathi-wikipedia-guru-granth-sahib-on-punjabi-11597460003374.html |website=Livemint |language=en |date=15 August 2020 |access-date=2 September 2020 |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907143626/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/shivaji-maharaj-top-page-on-marathi-wikipedia-guru-granth-sahib-on-punjabi-11597460003374.html |url-status=live }} "Guru Granth Sahib" was the most popular in Punjabi, and "vagina" was the most popular in Bhojpuri.{{cite web |last1=Yadav |first1=Jyoti |title=‘Vagina’ is top search on Bhojpuri Wikipedia, bringing vulgar songs back under scanner |url=https://theprint.in/india/vagina-is-top-search-on-bhojpuri-wikipedia-bringing-vulgar-songs-back-under-scanner/491405/ |website=ThePrint |date=29 August 2020 |access-date=2 September 2020 |archive-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009213045/https://theprint.in/india/vagina-is-top-search-on-bhojpuri-wikipedia-bringing-vulgar-songs-back-under-scanner/491405/ |url-status=live }} Wikipedia articles are sometimes the targets of political debate.{{cite web |last1=Benjakob |first1=Omer |title=A vicious culture war is tearing through Wikipedia |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/wikipedia-culture-war |website=Wired UK |date=5 November 2020 |access-date=6 November 2020 |archive-date=20 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220013912/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/wikipedia-culture-war |url-status=live }} Articles where there have been discussions and controversy include "2020 Delhi riots" and "Jai Shri Ram".

Wikimedia community organization in India

WikiConference India is a Wikipedia conference first hosted in India in 2011.{{cite web |url=http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/mumbai-to-host-first-wikiconference-in-india/ |title=Mumbai to host first WikiConference in India |author=IANS |date=9 November 2011 |publisher=India Current Affairs |access-date=15 November 2011 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226132615/http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/mumbai-to-host-first-wikiconference-in-india/%20 |url-status=live }}

In 2004 Wikimedia editors in India began planning a regional organization, Wikimedia India.{{cite book |last1=Gautam |first1=John |editor1-last=Lovink |editor1-first=Geert |editor1-link=Geert Lovink |editor2-last=Tkacz |editor2-first=Nathaniel |editor2-link=Nathaniel Tkacz |title=Critical point of view : a Wikipedia reader |URL=https://networkcultures.org/blog/publication/critical-point-of-view-a-wikipedia-reader/ |date=2011 |publisher=Institute of Network Cultures |isbn=978-90-78146-13-1 |pages=283–287 |chapter=Wikipedia in India: Past, Present, Future}} Organizers drafted by-laws in 2007, and in 2008 convened meetings with the assistance of the Centre for Internet and Society. The organization was founded in July 2009 as the 29th Wikimedia chapter.

A magazine editor named Sangram Keshari Senapati was praised for his development of Odia Wikipedia.{{cite web |author1=Odadmin |title=Odia guy made a record by writing articles on Wikipedia |url=https://orissadiary.com/odia-guy-made-record-writing-articles-wikipedia/ |website=Odisha Diary |date=25 August 2019 |access-date=1 September 2019 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901212206/https://orissadiary.com/odia-guy-made-record-writing-articles-wikipedia/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Sangram sets world record |url=https://www.orissapost.com/sangram-sets-world-record/ |access-date=20 February 2023 |work=OrissaPost |date=30 July 2019 |location=Bhadrak |language=English |archive-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001184606/https://www.orissapost.com/sangram-sets-world-record/ |url-status=live }}

The Wikipedia in Education Programme (WEP) started in 2013 at various colleges.{{cite web |last1=Sadu |first1=Charan |title=Building Wikipedia, in Kannada and Tulu |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/building-wikipedia-in-kannada-and-tulu/articleshow/77959721.cms |website=The Times of India |language=en |date=6 September 2020 |access-date=6 September 2020 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517101129/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/building-wikipedia-in-kannada-and-tulu/articleshow/77959721.cms |url-status=live }} In 2011, students at colleges and universities in Pune were recognized for participating in a Wikipedia education project.{{cite web |last1=Arya |first1=Aayush |title=Students in Pune, India to edit Wikipedia as part of college course |url=https://thenextweb.com/in/2011/08/22/students-in-pune-india-to-edit-wikipedia-as-part-of-college-course/ |website=The Next Web |language=en-us |date=22 August 2011 |access-date=13 September 2019 |archive-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926162732/https://thenextweb.com/in/2011/08/22/students-in-pune-india-to-edit-wikipedia-as-part-of-college-course/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=College of Engineering Pune students to co-author Wikipedia-India |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report-college-of-engineering-pune-students-to-co-author-wikipedia-india-1578420 |language=en |date=22 August 2011 |access-date=13 September 2019 |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907143628/https://www.dnaindia.com/education/report-college-of-engineering-pune-students-to-co-author-wikipedia-india-1578420 |url-status=live }} In 2020, participants in the WEP were developing content in Tulu.

In 2020, the volunteer Wikipedia community had been funding the majority of Wiki community activities in India.

The Karavali Wikimedia community described that they edit among English, Kannada, the Tulu, and the Konkani Wikipedia language versions.{{cite web |title=‘Write for Wikipedia with India focus’ |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/write-for-wikipedia-with-india-focus/article33648068.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=24 January 2021 |access-date=25 January 2021 |archive-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124211756/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/write-for-wikipedia-with-india-focus/article33648068.ece |url-status=live }} They edit on topics including health and women's interest.

Wikimedia Foundation engagement in India

File:Wikipedia - Ektara (English subtitles).webm

Google sponsored Project Tiger, which was a program to develop Wikipedia content in languages of India.{{cite web |last1=Matsakis |first1=Louise |title=Google Gives Wikimedia Millions—Plus Machine Learning Tools |url=https://www.wired.com/story/google-wikipedia-machine-learning-glow-languages/ |website=Wired |date=22 January 2019 |access-date=1 September 2019 |archive-date=9 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909025711/https://www.wired.com/story/google-wikipedia-machine-learning-glow-languages/ |url-status=live }} Google provided Chromebooks, while the Wikimedia Foundation offers stipends for an internet connection. Some volunteers balked at the list of subjects provided by Google – mostly topics trending on Google, which some volunteers found irrelevant. Later, a local list was provided.

The Wikimedia Foundation runs fundraising campaigns asking Indian people to donate.{{cite web |author1=DNA Web Team |title=Why Wikipedia - a million dollar company is asking users in India to donate? |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-why-wikipedia-a-million-dollar-company-is-asking-users-in-india-to-donate-2785845 |website=DNA India |language=en |date=29 August 2019 |access-date=1 September 2019 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901211525/https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-why-wikipedia-a-million-dollar-company-is-asking-users-in-india-to-donate-2785845 |url-status=live }} One news source described that request for money as awkwardly emotional.{{cite web |title=Wikipedia is Asking Indian Users to Contribute Money in Awkwardly Emotional Pitch |url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/wikipedia-is-asking-indian-users-to-contribute-money-in-awkwardly-emotional-pitch-2288139.html |website=News18 |language=en |date=28 August 2019 |access-date=1 September 2019 |archive-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829181012/https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/wikipedia-is-asking-indian-users-to-contribute-money-in-awkwardly-emotional-pitch-2288139.html |url-status=live }}

In 2011 the Wikimedia Foundation opened a branch office in India.{{cite journal |last1=Raval |first1=Noopur |editor1-last=Fotopoulou |editor1-first=Aristea |editor2-last=O’Riordan |editor2-first=Kate |editor3-last=Juhasz |editor3-first=Alex |title=The Encyclopedia Must Fail! – Notes on Queering Wikipedia |journal=Ada: A Journal of Gender, New Media, and Technology |date=July 2014 |issue=5 |doi=10.7264/N37W69GC |url=https://adanewmedia.org/2014/07/issue5-raval/ |issn=2325-0496 |access-date=2019-09-13 |archive-date=2019-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014030644/https://adanewmedia.org/2014/07/issue5-raval/ |url-status=dead }} One of the goals of establishing an office there was to increase regional fundraising.{{cite web |last1=Linsell |first1=Katie |title=Wikipedia India Office Will Help Boost Fundraising, Founder Says |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-11-02/wikipedia-india-office-will-help-boost-fundraising-founder-says |website=Bloomberg Businessweek |date=November 2, 2011 |access-date=2019-09-13 |archive-date=2016-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316203249/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-11-02/wikipedia-india-office-will-help-boost-fundraising-founder-says |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Sajan |first1=Kiran Tom |title=Shiju Alex in Wikipedia India core team |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/shiju-alex-wikipedia-india-core-team-638 |website=Deccan Chronicle |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217045121/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/kochi/shiju-alex-wikipedia-india-core-team-638 |archivedate=17 December 2011 |date=10 October 2011}}

Indian government, courts, and Wikipedia

File:The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis meeting the Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs and Defence, Shri Arun Jaitley, in New Delhi on March 17, 2017 (cropped).jpg, chief minister of Maharashtra, complained about Wikipedia's coverage of Sambhaji in 2025]]

In 2020, the government of India issued an order to Wikipedia to remove certain maps of India's borders, threatening to block the platform in the country, although that map was in sync with the United Nations and internationally recognised borders.{{Cite news |last= |date=3 December 2020 |title=Govt orders Wikipedia to remove link showing incorrect map of India, says sources |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-orders-wikipedia-to-remove-link-showing-incorrect-map-of-india-sources/article33238465.ece |access-date=12 October 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite news |last=Dovel |first=Pankaj |date=2 December 2020 |title=Govt warns Wikipedia of action over link showing 'wrong map' of J&K |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-warns-wikipedia-of-action-over-link-showing-wrong-map-of-jk/articleshow/79534295.cms |access-date=12 October 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-04 |title=File:United Nations (Member States and Territories).svg - Wikimedia Commons |url=https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_Nations_(Member_States_and_Territories).svg#mw-jump-to-license |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=commons.wikimedia.org |language=en}}

The Indian government regulates websites including Wikipedia with the Information Technology Rules, 2021.{{cite web |last1=Sheth |first1=Hemani |title=Indian users may lose access to Wikipedia in light of new internet rules: Report |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/indian-users-may-lose-access-to-wikipedia-in-light-of-new-internet-rules-report/article30919897.ece |website=Business Line |language=en |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227164415/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/indian-users-may-lose-access-to-wikipedia-in-light-of-new-internet-rules-report/article30919897.ece |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Dash |first1=Sanchita |title=Wikipedia says it may not be accessible in India if government pushes through new internet rules |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/wikipedia-might-not-be-accessible-to-india-if-the-government-goes-ahead-with-its-proposed-internet-rules/articleshow/74295224.cms |website=Business Insider |publisher=Insider Inc. |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227094922/https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/wikipedia-might-not-be-accessible-to-india-if-the-government-goes-ahead-with-its-proposed-internet-rules/articleshow/74295224.cms |url-status=live }} As those rules were being drafted in 2020, some news sources speculated that Wikipedia was not in compliance with those rules.

Author Tuhin Sinha sued the WMF regarding the deletion of the English Wikipedia article about him in 2022. He said the suit was "a fight against the Western deep state."{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Pete |title=Will Indian Courts Tame Wikipedia? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/09/will-indian-courts-tame-wikipedia/ |access-date=16 October 2024 |work=The Diplomat |date=23 September 2024}} In 2022, India's Supreme Court dismissed defamation suits by the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India against Wikipedia.{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Khadija |date=10 July 2024 |title=Why has ANI slapped a defamation case against Wikipedia? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/why-has-ani-slapped-a-defamation-case-against-wikipedia-9443391/ |access-date=10 October 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

In July 2024, Asian News International filed the lawsuit Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation in the Delhi High Court with an accusation of defamation.{{Cite news |date=2024-09-05 |title=Delhi High Court cautions Wikipedia for non-compliance of order |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |access-date=2024-09-15 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=14 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914011253/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |url-status=live }} Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation opened in Delhi High Court in August 2024{{cite news |last1=Deep |first1=Aroon |title=Content determined by volunteer editors, says Wikipedia parent |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/wikipedia-parent-responds-ani-defamation-suit-says-content-by-volunteer-editors/article68395472.ece |access-date=13 July 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=12 July 2024 |language=en-IN}}{{cite news |last1=Hunt |first1=Pete |title=Will Indian Courts Tame Wikipedia? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/09/will-indian-courts-tame-wikipedia/ |access-date=22 September 2024 |work=The Diplomat |date=23 September 2024}} with WMF being cited for contempt of court in September and ordered back to court in October.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2024-09-05 |title=Delhi High Court cautions Wikipedia for non-compliance of order |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |access-date=2024-10-10 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} From 21 October 2024 to 9 May 2025, the Wikimedia Foundation suspended access to the article on the court case due to an order from the court.{{Cite news |last=Deep |first=Aroon |date=2024-10-21 |title=Wikipedia suspends page on the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by ANI against Wikimedia Foundation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/wikipedia-suspends-access-to-ani-defamation-case-page-following-delhi-hc-order/article68778075.ece |access-date=2024-10-26 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{cite news |last1=Chaturvedi |first1=Arpan |title=India Supreme Court reverses content takedown order against Wikipedia operator |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-supreme-court-reverses-content-takedown-order-against-wikipedia-operator-2025-05-09/ |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=Reuters |date=9 May 2025}}

In September 2024, the Supreme Court of India ordered Wikipedia to remove the name of the victim in the Wikipedia article about the 2024 Kolkata rape and murder incident.{{cite news |last1=Kamble |first1=Manasi |title=Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Supreme Court Orders Wikipedia To Remove Victim's Name And Photos |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/kolkata-rape-murder-case-supreme-court-orders-wikipedia-to-remove-victims-name-and-photos |work=The Free Press Journal |date=17 September 2024 |language=en}}

In February 2025, Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister of Maharashtra, complained about what he considered objectionable content in Wikipedia's article about Sambhaji, the 17th century second king of the Maratha Empire. He said "The Constitution grants freedom of speech, but it is not limitless and cannot infringe on others' rights. When obscenity crosses all boundaries, taking action becomes necessary."{{cite news |last1=Sah |first1=Purnima |title=Remove objectional reference about Sambhaji Maharaj from Wikipedia: Fadnavis |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/fadnavis-asks-police-to-contact-wikipedia-over-objectionable-writing-about-sambhaji-maharaj/article69233656.ece |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=The Hindu |date=18 February 2025 |language=en-IN}}{{cite news |last1=Bose |first1=Mrityunjay |title=Remove derogatory and objectionable reference from Wikipedia about Sambhaji Maharaj: Fadnavis |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/remove-derogatory-and-objectionable-reference-from-wikipedia-about-sambhaji-maharaj-fadnavis-3410917 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=Deccan Herald |date=18 February 2025 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Parasnis |first1=Sharveya |title=Maharashtra Government vs. Wikipedia: What’s Next? |url=https://www.medianama.com/2025/02/223-sambhaji-maharaj-wikipedia-controversy-devendra-fadnavis-wikipedia-action/ |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=MediaNama |date=19 February 2025}} Directed by Fadnavis, the Maharashtra cyber police filed a first information report (FIR) against a Wikipedian.{{cite news |title=FIR against person who made ‘derogatory edits’ to Chhatrapati Sambhaji profile on Wikipedia |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/fir-filed-derogatory-edits-chhatrapati-sambhaji-wikipedia-profile-9849244/ |access-date=22 February 2025 |work=The Indian Express |date=22 February 2025 |language=en}} In April, the cyber police asked the government of India to block Wikipedia.{{cite news |title=Maharashtra Cyber urges Centre to block Wikipedia, Proton Mail |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/maharashtra-cyber-urges-centre-to-block-wikipedia-proton-mail-101744399169955.html |access-date=12 April 2025 |work=Hindustan Times |date=12 April 2025}}

References

Category:Wikipedia controversies