“If You Don’t Like India, Don’t Operate Here”: Delhi HC to Wikipedia

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th Sept. The Delhi High Court has issued a contempt of court notice to Wikipedia for withholding information about edits to its entry on news agency ANI. The court reprimanded the online encyclopedia, stating, “If you don’t like India, please don’t work in India… we will ask the government to block your site.”

The notice follows a defamation case filed by ANI, which alleges that Wikipedia allowed edits portraying the agency as a “propaganda tool” of the Indian government. ANI claims that despite a court order requiring Wikipedia to disclose details of three accounts responsible for the controversial edits, this information has not been provided.

Wikipedia argued that delays in disclosing the information were due to procedural issues, as the organization is not based in India. Justice Navin Chawla, however, criticized this stance, emphasizing that compliance with Indian laws is mandatory.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for October and has mandated that a Wikipedia representative be present. In response to the case, the Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, has stated it does not directly edit or add content, as it is managed by a global community of volunteer editors.

ANI is seeking ₹2 crore in damages, as well as an injunction to remove the disputed edits and prevent similar content in the future.