The Delhi High Court has issued a contempt of court notice to Wikipedia for non-compliance with court orders to share subscriber information that it has about a defamation case filed against news agency ANI. These rising concerns are out once again, whether there will be a ban on Wikipedia in India or not.
ANI had filed a case after defamatory edits started appearing on its Wikipedia page, which termed it a government “propaganda tool.” The court had, during earlier hearings, directed the online encyclopedia Wikipedia to disclose the identities of the editors who made these edits. However, ANI, represented by Sidhant Kumar argued that Wikipedia did not comply with the court’s directions. It adds that this could result in a ban on Wikipedia in India if the platform flouts court orders.
‘We will close your business transactions here’ – Delhi court warns to ban Wikipedia in India
Justice Navin Chawla, trying the case, voiced disappointment at Wikipedia’s conduct. He even went to the extent of threatening contempt proceedings in case they did not cooperate. Wikipedia, represented by Tine Abraham, argued that it is not an entity in India. He added that it makes it complicated for them to comply with the laws of the land. However, the court rejected this contention warning that the dealings of the business transactions of this valuable information source may be stopped with a possible ban on Wikipedia in India.
Navin’s statements read:
“I will impose contempt…It is not a question of Defendant No. 1 [Wikipedia] not being an entity in India. We will close your business transactions here. We will ask the government to block Wikipedia…Earlier also you people have taken this argument. If you don’t like India, please don’t work in India.”
The court also hinted at possibly ordering the block of access to Wikipedia, asking the Indian government for such an action, should the platform continue averting its compliance. Wikipedia is one of the largest online encyclopedias worldwide. It would substantially affect the audience in India with such a move.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 25, and Wikipedia would have to send an authorized representative. Failure to do so may lead the court to pass more stringent measures. It also recommends a ban on Wikipedia in India. It underlines the tension between global online platforms and local legal systems, particularly in cases related to defamation and privacy.
Due to some legal problems, the future of Wikipedia in India remains at stake with the threat of being blocked constantly. It shall be noted that the business was found by Larry Sanger and Jimmy Wales in 2001. Initially available only in English, the site is now the hub of over 300 languages. Solely the English edition has 6.9 million articles.
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