Hindi phrase "Mandir yahi banega”, meaning 'temple will be built here', evocative of a slogan raised by right-wing groups such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad pitching for a Ram temple in Ayodhya, seems to find a place on Google Maps, one of the most widely used map services in the world.
When you search for the Ram Janmabhooomi site on Google Maps application on your phone, "Mandir yahi banega" appears as a point of interest, close to the disputed site where the Babri Masjid stood till December 6, 1992.
Several Hindutva outfits have for decades demanded that a Ram temple be built at the site, saying the Hindus believe Lord Ram was born there.
"Mandir yahi banega" is used to denote a "Hindu temple" on the map and an image of a model of the proposed Ram mandir is used in the description page. The page has received 12 review comments so far and is marked four out of five stars.
Matter is sub judice
It is to be noted that the Ayodhya title suit, politically known as the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhooomi issue, is sub judice and currently in the Supreme Court.
When contacted, Google attributed the lapse to "unhelpful edits suggested by users”. Users can edit names and addresses of locations on the map.
The company said it had "fixed the issue" and taken steps to get the marker removed.
"We’re heavily invested in empowering users to contribute their local knowledge to Google products and services. Overall, allowing users to suggest information provides comprehensive and up-to-date info, but we recognize there may be, as in this case, unhelpful edits suggested by users. When this happens, we work fast to address the issue as quickly as possible," a Google spokesperson said.
