No intermerdiary operatng in India can permit this type of misinformation n deliberate efforts to incitement n… https://t.co/pQxI4ik8rs
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) 1662368208000
“No intermediary operating in India can permit this type of misinformation … deliberate efforts at incitement and user harm – violates our government’s expectation of safe and trusted Internet,” he tweeted.
Several media reports said the edits were made from accounts operated from Pakistan.
Ministry summons Wikipedia officials
The 23-year-old bowler received hate online and was called a “Khalistani” after he dropped a catch of Pakistani batter Asif Ali in a Asia Cup match in Dubai on Monday. India eventually lost to Pakistan by five wickets in the Super 4 match.
The bowler’s Wikipedia page was edited with his country called “Khalistan Punjab” and his name changed to “Major Arshdeep Singh Bajwa”. India was replaced with Khalistan several times across the article though these changes were soon removed by Wikipedia editors.
Many random changes were also done to Singh’s game statistics.
Meanwhile, sources said that the IT ministry has summoned Wikipedia executives over the edits that were made to the bowler’s page. A panel headed by the IT ministry secretary is expected to question the executives on the steps being followed to ensure such edits are not made in the future.
In support of Arshdeep
After intense online trolling, several cricketers came to the defence of Arshdeep.
Virat Kohli had some strong words in his support and said “Even when I played my first game against Pakistan in Champions Trophy, I played a bad shot and got out. Anyone can make mistakes under pressure. It is natural to feel bad. The team environment is great right now, credit for this goes to management and the captain. So one must accept his mistake, address it and look forward to being in that pressure situation once again.”
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh stated that no one drops catches purposely and the young seamer should not be criticised. “Stop criticising young @arshdeepsinghh. No one drops a catch purposely..we are proud of our boys .. Pakistan played better.. shame on such people who r putting our own guys down by saying cheap things on this platform bout Arsh and the team.. Arsh is GOLD,” Harbhajan tweeted.
(With inputs from agencies)