Unacademy got caught for disseminating fallacious information on the Martand Temple of Kashmir. Its original description of Martand Temple was hurtful to Hindu sentiments and Bharat’s heritage. Facing severe backlash for describing the Martand Temple as “Shaitan ki Gufa”, the renowned educational platform quickly mended the error.
However, its error unmasks the critical question of who checks the authenticity of the content of educational websites. And how the bias of the author or Unacademy is reflected in the voices of students under its guidance. Let’s explore!
Unacademy: Unverified Content or Fake Narrative?
Hello @unacademy,
Can you clarify why you referred to the Martand Sun Temple as "Shaitan ki Gufa"? Are you sourcing your educational content from Bollywood movies like "Haider" which made a similar reference?
This 8th-century temple in J&K was destroyed by Sikandar Shah Miri. pic.twitter.com/7O66gZYzGz
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) July 22, 2024
The credibility of Unacademy has taken a significant hit. Netizens exposed a grave error in the platform’s study material marked for Karnataka Public Service Exams. Unacademy’s webpage on the sacred Martand Temple used derogatory terms probably inspired by Bollywood narratives to define the Hindu mandir. This blunder has sparked outrage among Hindus worldwide, who view the Martand Temple as a significant historical and spiritual site. Calling Martand Temple “Shaitan ki Gufa” gives undue credibility to violent Islamist ideology. This systematic Hinduphobic violence of Islamic invaders suppressed Bharat’s civilizational truths under its brutal feet.
Many wonder if the error was due to a lapse in Unacademy’s content screening process or was a product of an inherent, deep-seeded bias of the platform itself!
Irrespective of the cause, the hurtful content shows an alarming trend that unmasks reckless dissemination of unverified content under the name of ‘vidya’. Viral screenshots of the offensive description show a glaring lack of historical accuracy and an absence of sensitivity. The term “Shaitan ki Gufa” is not just a mistranslation; it is a gross misrepresentation that undermines the temple’s cultural and religious significance.
Under the fire of online outrage, Unacademy swiftly edited its content! However, Unacademy has yet to issue a public apology or proof of accountability. Thereby, fueling the controversy of paid-for bias similar to that observed in Bollywood blockbusters like Haider! Did Unacedmy distort Hindu history for sensationalism and easy access to ‘Toolkit’ connections?!
They are definitely taking lessons from Bollywood.
In the "Haider" movie Shahid Kapoor danced to the song ‘Bismil’ desecrated the sacred place and portrayed the ancient Martand Temple of Kashmir as "The Den of the Devil"
And now @unacademy is doing the same by calling the… https://t.co/FjeWxfeABb pic.twitter.com/9zyr6pHQkU
— Āryā_Anvikṣā 🪷 (@Arya_Anviksha_) July 22, 2024
Martand Temple: A Historical Mandir And Its Undeniable Truth
The Martand Mandir or Sun Temple is located in Anantnag, Kashmir. Its current identity is that of a Mandir lying in ruins, whose broken and violated walls speak of brutal Hindu hatred practiced by Islamists of the past! This remarkable piece of ancient Indian architecture was a temple dedicated to Surya Dev. Constructed during the 8th century by King Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty, the temple’s ruins are a testament to Kashmir’s rich Hindu identity and heritage.
The grandeur of the temple’s design is a masterclass on medieval-era Hindu architecture that features science, architecture, and faith in one building.
Featuring intricate carvings and an expansive courtyard, the Martand Temple reflects the advanced engineering and artistic skills of the era. However, this magnificent temple was a victim of religious intolerance. In the 15th century, Sultan Sikandar Butshikan, known for his campaigns of destruction of Hindu temples and idols, ordered the destruction of Martand Temple. This act was part of a larger effort to Islamize Bharat and Kashmir by eradicating symbols of Hindu ideology and places of worship.
The ruins of the Martand Temple stand as a poignant reminder of the horrific Hindu hatred that Bharat witnessed under Islamic invaders!
Unacademy: A Case In Point On Dangers Of Fallacious Content
The misrepresentation of historical facts on Martand Temple by Unacademy showcases the need for verifying online information by users. Many websites present fallacious content to distort the understanding of Dharma and Itihas. Sometimes the error is an academic oversight. However, it is usually part of a dangerous trend to warp young minds that seek answers in a rapidly changing digital world!
Thus, educational platforms, like Unacademy, have a responsibility to ensure that their content is accurate and unbiased. When verified and popular platforms propagate erroneous information, it not only misleads students but also disrespects cultural heritage and fuels communal tensions.
The incident with Unacademy is a stark example of how easy it is to spread fallacious content. Therefore, the lesson from this incident is the need for rigorous content verification processes and accountability mechanisms in online or offline educational services. The lack of a public apology from Unacademy adds insult to injury, suggesting a disregard for public sentiments.
Word to the Wise
Unacademy’s recent blunder regarding the Martand Temple highlights a critical issue in educational content dissemination. Whether it is a case of peddling a fake narrative or failing to verify content, the impact is equally damaging. The inability of the platform to face the issue in full public view compounds the error.
Immediate corrective actions must be implemented along with a public acceptance of wrongdoing and an open apology. Additionally, a public promise to implement stricter content review protocols would be a welcome act of transparency. However, the absence of the above shows a deliberate lack of accountability.
Accurate historical knowledge and honesty are not choices in a quality educator; they are an absolute requirement of a Good Human and Guru!
Academic institutes need to tell the full truth about the civilizational story of Bharat. And the content should not pander to the ‘sickular’ views. Presenting the accurate and unbiased truth of Bharat is essential to guide the future generations of the nation. It honors the generational trauma suffered by Hindus and the centuries of resistance Hindus offered to Islamist forces. The Martand Temple’s legacy deserves respect and accurate representation, free from the ‘sickular’ taint, Le-Li bias, or unverified narratives. Don’t let convenient errors or half truths marr the accuracy of इतिहास – As It Has Occurred!