Reasons Why Wikipedia Is A Poor Choice To Refer To Topics About Hinduism

Nowadays, you will hardly find anyone who does not refer to Wikipedia, at least occasionally, to access information on diverse subjects. Wikipedia has immense popularity as a online encyclopedia and ranks high on search engine result pages; people can obtain details on a variety of topics. And, in most instances, it does not disappoint users.

But when it comes to the study of topics about Hinduism, Wikipedia is best avoided. There are several valid reasons for that, and this write-up is going to elaborate on the most important of those factors.

• Unfortunately, of late; several articles have been appearing on Wikipedia presenting contemporary Hinduism in an extremely negative way. There are several conspiracy theories stating that some vested interests aiming to derive political mileage are responsible for this black propaganda. In light of this, there is a strong possibility that an individual interested in learning about Hinduism could end up reading distorted information about the religion. As a result, they don’t develop a favorable opinion of the “Sanatana Dharma.”

• Also, there is no dearth of pages on Wikipedia where wrong things have been written about the great philosophers and seers of Hinduism. Overall, these writings are devoid of factual basis; they are unfairly biased against this religion. Hence, it is obvious that you get to read only unpleasant things about Hinduism- the unpleasantness that is not there!

• In Wikipedia, we have many articles where people/ outfits that in reality were known for their anti-Hindu actions and policies are projected as noble souls.

• It can be said that many Wikipedia write-ups on Hinduism related topics have shown the good as the bad, and vice-versa. Amid so much distortion of facts, we can’t expect to access fully meaningful content where the truth is put forward as it is, devoid of any prejudices.

• Wikipedia itself has been repeatedly conveying that no one should consider it a cent percent dependable source of knowledge. In this connection, the problem is that every user on the Internet has the option to edit the writings of Wiki. It’s not at all mandatory that the person must possess a thorough knowledge of the concerned subject. Credentials have become completely irrelevant; laymen are free to write whatever comes to their minds.

• Thus, even the articles speaking of the fundamental concepts of Hinduism have been penned down mostly by persons bereft of any scholarly knowledge. And, these types of articles can do nothing other than misinterpret the religion and misguide the readers.

• Around a year back, Wikipedia’s anti-Hindu stand got highlighted once again. The Website blatantly removed pages related to several journalists, writers, and historians who have always held a high reputation for sharing accurate details about Hinduism. After that, it has become very clear that Wiki is totally under the control of certain ideologies that have deep biases against Hinduism and have openly displayed a dislike towards Hinduism.

• There are several reports by the recently popular OpIndia website about biases and malafide actions by Wikipedia editors deleting profiles of those who promote accurate viewpoint of Hinduism.

The above points will suffice to convince anyone that, if educative and enlightening knowledge of the Hindu religion is what you want, Wiki is not the place! In this respect, the Wikipedia site has established a poor track record of being a storehouse with many errors, wrong interpretations and not a knowledgeable source for knowing about Hinduism.

Note: Also read about ethics and values as per Hindu Sanathana Dharma – Samanya Dharma, Apad Dharma, Vishesha Dharma 

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