Distorting history with an aim to peddle leftist propaganda is not a new phenomenon in Bharat and the same has been reflected in various history books and journals through which the self-acclaimed historians of leftist mindset have left no stone unturned in demeaning the glorious history of the country. Moreover ironically the same has been continuing even after so many years of independence through various means.
In the latest episode, Unacademy, an online learning platform is on the receiving end for posting fictional information after the platform’s website in one of its educational lesson referred the revered Martand Sun Temple of Jammu and Kashmir as “Shaitan Ki Gufa”.
The phrase ‘Shaitan Ki Gufa’ which draws its inspiration from Vishal Bhardawaj’s movie Haider in which the lead actor was seen performing on a song in scary costumes in the premise of the ruined temple was only get removed by the owners of Unacademy after the netizens pointed out the historic bigotry made by the online platform.
Even the removal of the content was made silently and the platform has so far not issued any formal apology for the inappropriate reference made by them towards a revered temple.
Pointing out the inaccuracy, many of the prominent nationalist handles on social media platform X slammed the conduct of the Unacademy while asking that whether the platform has been collecting its educational content from the bollywoood script writers.
This is terrible @unacademy that you term the Martand Sun Temple as "shaitan ki gufa" ! Who's creating your educational content — Bollywood script writers ?? Shameful. https://t.co/1VJi7wMXVu
— Dr. Vikram Sampath, FRHistS (@vikramsampath) July 22, 2024
Historical significance of Martand Sun Temple
An ASI protected monument, the Martand Sun Temple in Anantnaag district traced its origin from the 7th century and was built by legendry king of Kashmir, Lalitaditya Muktapida, the third ruler of the Karkota dynasty whose references could also be traced in “Rajtarangni” by Kalhan, one of the most authentic historical text on history of Kashmir.
Built on a top of the plateau between between 724 to 741 A.D, the temple as believed by many was an architectural marvel at its zenith. The design of the historic monument features a courtyard housing the central shrine along with other smaller shrines spanning over 200 feet in lengths and 142 feet in width.
The Martand temple dedicated to Sun god as evident in its name Martand (In Sanskrit), was destroyed on the commands of Muslim ruler of Kashmir, Sikandar Shah Miri in the 14th century.
Unacademy lesson referring temple as devil’s cave
The now removed study material pertaining to the revered temple on the website of Unacademy described the temple as the “Shaitan Ki Gufa” (the devil’s cave).
“The Martand Sun Temple, also called Shaitan ki Gufa, is a Hindu shrine located within Jammu and Kashmir, India, just near the city area of Anantnag. It was built in the 8th century AD and was dedicated to Surya, Hinduism’s principal sun god; Surya is also recognized through his Sanskrit name Martand. Upon command of the former Muslim emperor of Kashmir, Sikandar Shah Miri, this temple was demolished by the army of the Shah Miri empire throughout the 15th century,” read the now deleted lesson.
The reference given in the temple triggered a massive outrage among the netizens who in turn while schooling the platform wondered that if the platform is taking lessons from the Bollywood, a section of which is known for promoting distorted historical facts and anti-Hindu narrative.
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
Unacademy sources its history lessons from anti-national kachra films like Haider. 🤦
Hindustan me jab tak Sanima hai, log … https://t.co/FSuTsN8Oo6
— Ge(r)ms of Bollywood बॉलीवुड के रत्न (@GemsOfBollywood) July 24, 2024
Notably the phrase “Shaitan Ki Gufa” for Hindu temple in Kashmir is claimed to be first popularized by Islamic rulers of the medieval era however no accurate historical references are available for it and it was only in a song of the movie Haider that one can find the reference of the temple as the devil’s cave.
Our official statement in light of the current event. pic.twitter.com/QI8bS3ghbN
— Unacademy (@unacademy) May 19, 2021
Significantly, this is not the only time that the Unacademy has landed in a controversy over peddling anti-Hindu narrative and the online platform had also faced a backslash after one of its test module insinuated Hindus attacking a group of Muslims during a festival celebration.
The reference given in the test module triggered an outrage in the social media following which the platform issued an apology blaming a third party for the misrepresentation.
In another case a video of the tutor associated with the Unacademy had also gone viral in which while teaching the Varna system he was heard referring the Brahmins as the most (Kamchor) idle community.
