Wikipedia shows MP as dead, govt promises action

NEW DELHI: BJP MP Anju Bala caused a flutter in Lok Sabha when she alleged that Wikipedia had shown her as dead, prompting the government to promise action. She also alleged there had been some claims on the website tarnishing her character and reputation. The member wanted an FIR to be registered.

NEW DELHI: A BJP member caused a stir in Lok Sabha on Wednesday when she alleged that Wikipedia page showed her as dead, causing concern among members and prompting government to promise serious action.

Raising the issue in Zero Hour, Anju Bala said she came to know of her ‘death’ entry when her secretary received a phone call from Mumbai after she participated in a women’s conference last week.

The caller wanted to know whether the programme in which she had recited a poem was held long back, as she was shown “dead” on March 3 in Delhi on her Wikipedia page.

Bala also alleged that there had been some claims on Wikipedia tarnishing her character and reputation.

Amid concern voiced by members, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the incident was brought to her notice only on Tuesday.

Responding to the concern, Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said this is certainly a serious matter and “we will take serious action”.