How @Kautilya33, an X.com and Wikipedia user, distorted facts related to Manipur: A report

Analysing an X.com and Wikipedia user’s attempt to distort facts related to the Manipur Violence

This report examines the X (formerly Twitter) user @Kautilya33, identified as Uday Reddy, a computer science professor at the University of Birmingham, UK. The user, who describes themselves as a “Wikipedian” in their bio, has been accused of a history of distorting facts related to India, particularly the state of Manipur, through edits on Wikipedia. These allegations stem from claims of biased editing that favors certain narratives, such as those aligned with Kuki-Zo (Chin-Kuki) perspectives during the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. Evidence is drawn from X posts and broader discussions on Wikipedia biases, highlighting a pattern of controversy.

Profile of @Kautilya33

• Username and Identity: @Kautilya33 (display name: Kautilya3)
• Account ID: 1235452595520577542.
• Bio: “Wikipedian” — indicating a focus on contributing to Wikipedia.
• Followers: Approximately 5,692 (as of September 2025).
• Background: Uday Reddy, a professor of computer science at the University of Birmingham, England. He has been linked to Wikipedia editing under usernames like “Kautilya3” and allegedly “NmMO10” in external reports. His X activity often intersects with Wikipedia discussions, including defenses of edits on historical and current events in India.

The username “Kautilya” references Chanakya (also known as Kautilya), the ancient Indian strategist and author of the Arthashastra, suggesting an interest in Indian history and politics. However, critics argue this persona is used to push revisionist or biased narratives.

History of Alleged Fact Distortion on Wikipedia

Wikipedia’s open-editing model has long been criticized for biases, particularly in politically sensitive topics like those involving India. Broader controversies include systemic anti-India bias, as documented in reports like OpIndia’s dossier “Wikipedia’s War on India,” which accuses the platform of funding NGOs and editors to promote distorted content. Specific to @Kautilya33, allegations focus on edits related to Manipur’s ethnic conflicts, Indian history, and separatism.

Key Allegations Related to Manipur

1. Bias in Manipur Violence Coverage:

• The 2023–2025 Manipur violence, an ethnic clash between Meitei (majority in the Imphal Valley) and Kuki-Zo communities, has seen over 258 deaths and 60,000 displacements. Wikipedia articles like “2023–2025 Manipur violence” and “Manipur” have been edit-war hotspots.
• @Kautilya33 is accused of selectively sourcing from Kuki-aligned media (e.g., outlets sympathetic to Chin-Kuki militants seeking a separate state) while downplaying Meitei perspectives or state actions under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. For instance, edits allegedly omit incidents like the “Anglo gate fire” (refuted by Assam Rifles but blamed on state complicity in some narratives) and focus on Meitei “aggression.”
• The Wikipedia article “2023–2025 Manipur Violence” is heavily edited by @kautilya33 as can be seen in the edit history of the article. @kautilya33 has manipulated the article with biased views favoring the Kuki community. Example is the “Parties” section in the Infobox of the article in which @kautilya33 omits Kuki Militant groups as one of the parties from the Kuki-Zo community.
• In August 2025, X users exposed @Kautilya33 as “NmMO10,” a contributor to the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) report on Manipur violence. The report, involving retired judges like Justice Joseph Kurien, was criticized as “propaganda” for omitting Meitei victimhood (e.g., Kwakta massacre, deaths of Meitei pandits) and relying on biased testimonials. Critics claim @Kautilya33 advised PUCL to ignore refuting evidence, aligning with Kuki narratives.

2. Distorting Manipur’s Accession History (August 2023)

• @kautilya33 responded to a post about Manipur’s integration, stating: “Manipur wasn’t fully part of India pre-1947 like other princely states; its accession was coerced.” This misrepresents the historical record. Manipur’s Maharaja Bodh Chandra Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on August 14, 1947, integrating Manipur into the Dominion of India, consistent with other princely states. By emphasizing “coercion” without evidence and ignoring the legal accession,@kautilya33 fuels separatist narratives, distorting India’s unification process under the government.

3. Misrepresenting Government Role in Manipur Violence (June 2023)

• In a x.com thread, @kautilya33 claimed: “Imphal media, backed by the government, falsely labels Khamenlok villagers as Kuki militants with advanced weapons.” @kautilya33 cited a local source to dismiss reports of Kuki militancy. By framing this as government-orchestrated “fake news” targeting Kukis, @kautilya33 distorts the conflict’s complexity, ignoring bidirectional violence and misrepresenting the government’s role.

4. False Narrative on Land Evictions (February 2024)

• @kautilya33 tweeted: “Manipur government’s eviction of 38 Kuki villages in reserved forests is proof of anti-Kuki bias, not legal enforcement.” This distorts a High Court-ordered eviction in Churachandpur’s reserved forests, mandated under India’s Forest Conservation Act to remove illegal encroachments. By framing it as ethnic targeting without evidence, @kautilya33 misrepresents a nationwide legal policy as a state government conspiracy, ignoring Supreme Court directives applied uniformly across India.

5. Misleading Historical Claim on Land Classification (June 2024)

• Sharing a 1963 Manipur government order, @kautilya33 wrote: “This deceptive order classifying Kuki areas as ‘valley’ shows Meitei CMs’ anti-Kuki agenda since the 1960s.” The order, under the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, was a routine administrative classification for a union territory. Linking it to modern CM N. Biren Singh’s policies distorts its context, fabricating a decades-long ethnic conspiracy without evidence.

6. Exaggerating Government Negligence (January 2025)

• Commenting on a government event during Manipur unrest, @kautilya33 stated: “BJP values celebrations over human lives in Manipur.” This hyperbolic claim lacks evidence tying routine political activities (e.g., cultural events) to deliberate disregard for lives. It distorts the government’s crisis management by implying malice, amplifying unverified narratives over factual critiques of policy delays.

Legal and Community Backlash:

• A “Look Out Circular” (LOC) has been issued against @Kautilya33 in India for alleged manipulations, restricting travel.
• On X, he faces direct attacks: e.g., called a “dishonest scumbag” for agenda-driven editing (September 2025 post), and accused of using AI tools like teleprompters for Kuki propaganda (August 2025).
• Meitei activists claim his edits demonize them via “psycho-sexual analysis” in Kuki spaces, aiming to “deconstruct Meitei society”. This ties into broader calls for legal action against him and associates like Shaikh Abid Hasan (@shershabadia) for threatening national unity.

Evidence from X.com Ecosystem

Recent X searches (Latest mode, up to 20 posts) reveal a surge in accusations since May 2025, coinciding with Manipur escalations:

• August 21–23, 2025: Multiple threads expose @Kautilya33 ‘s PUCL role, with 200+ engagements per post. Users like @diana_warep and @themanipurbrief shared screenshots linking “NmMO10” to him, tagging media outlets (@the_hindu, @thewire_in) for amplification.
• September 8, 2025: Posts criticize his advice to PUCL on ignoring evidence, with calls to tag @NBirenSingh and @HMOIndia
• Earlier (May–July 2025): References to his Wikipedia manipulations in Kuki history articles, e.g., fabricating nomadic origins without sources.
• Pakistani outlets like Kashmir Media Service amplified the PUCL report, now withheld in India, fueling separatism claims.

Impact and Broader Context

• On Wikipedia Credibility: Edits by users like @Kautilya33 contribute to distrust in Wikipedia for India-related topics. The platform’s Arbitration Committee has banned editors for similar biases (e.g., 2015 Wifione case), but enforcement is inconsistent.
• On Manipur Conflict: Distortions exacerbate ethnic tensions, portraying Meiteis as aggressors while ignoring Kuki militancy or poppy cultivation issues. This aligns with foreign “conspiracies” mentioned by CM Biren Singh in 2023.
• Government Response: India’s MeitY summoned Wikimedia executives in 2021 and issued 2024 notices, potentially reclassifying Wikipedia as a publisher liable for content.

Conclusion

@Kautilya33‘s history as a Wikipedian is marred by credible allegations of distorting facts on India and Manipur, particularly through biased sourcing in ethnic violence articles and involvement in reports like PUCL’s. While Wikipedia’s collaborative nature allows such issues, the pattern — substantiated by X discourse and broader biases — suggests an agenda favoring Kuki narratives over balanced history. Recommendations include Wikipedia community reviews of his edits and Indian authorities pursuing the LOC for accountability. This case underscores the need for transparent editing in sensitive geopolitical topics.