India’s IT Ministry has summoned Wikipedia authorities as it seeks an explanation on how sensational changes were made to Indian cricketer Arshdeep Singh’s Wikipedia page after Sunday’s (September 4) match against Pakistan.
Singh’s page was altered and the term linked to a separatist group leading the call for “Khalistan” was mentioned.
The current Indian government’s IT ministry has sought an explanation from Wikipedia officials as to how anyone can access their page and make such changes to the details contained within about Sikh Indian cricketers.
“IT Ministry summons Wikipedia officials in India, told to meet them today to seek clarification on Indian cricket team bowler Arshdeep Singh changing his Wikipedia entry to mention Khalistan Association.”
“A high-level panel headed by the IT ministry secretary is likely to ask Wikipedia executives for checks and balances on such edits, may also issue notices in the wake of a statement by them.”
IT Ministry summons Wikipedia over Arshdeep Singh’s tampered page.
With India’s loss in Super 4 Asia Cup 2022 against Pakistan in Dubai, tampering with Arshdeep Singh’s page came on the internet.
Although the cricketer showed a superb bowling pattern of 1/27 in his 3.5 overs, the left-arm seamer caught the eye for a fielding effort at the halfway mark of the 18th over as Pakistan chased runs.
Needing 32 off 15 balls, Arshdeep dismissed Pakistan’s dangerous power-hitter Asif Ali in an attempt to hold on to a sitter that Ali leaped into the air after a mistimed big hit.
The catch was a turning point in the cricketer’s match, for which he was consoled by regular sports followers and fellow cricketers.
But some right-wing elements took a different view of Arshdeep’s religious leanings and questioned his nationalist beliefs.
This led to the alarming claim of the Khalistan Association against the cricketer, which the Indian IT Ministry has referred to and sought an explanation from the Wikipedia authorities.
Live Update:India vs Pakistan (IND vs PAK) Super 4 Asia Cup 2022
This is not the first time an Indian cricketer has faced such unacceptable religious claims and disastrous questions about his nationalist allegiance in recent years.
After Indian pacer Mohammad Shami’s debacle against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in Dubai last year, there was some gratuitous trolling and Islamophobic accusations of apathetic patriotism.