Why is Google Maps showing JNU 'anti-national'?
If Bharat Mata is tired of the "anti-nationals" on the run, Google Maps can help. In a twisted, baffling way it has revealed the location of the supposed conspirators. The service, used for getting driving directions and locating businesses, now lists "JNU" as the search result for the query "Anti-National".
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The anti-national wave
Claims that students within the varsity had raised slogans like "bharat ke tukde honge" during an event held to mark the hanging of Parliament Attack convict Mohammad Afzal had sparked nationwide outrage and led to the arrest of JNU students Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban, all of whom were charged with sedition.
Soon after the news of the supposed "anti-national" sloganeering reached her office, HRD minister Smriti Irani had told the press that "no insult to Bharat Mata would be tolerated".
A court in Delhi had later granted bail to the three students in independent hearings.
The world may laud Google for its accurate trends, but a lot of young Indians are peeved that the service is now acting like a die-hard Bhakt.
Why are your unpaid interns searching "anti-national" and "sedition" on Google Maps? https://t.co/8IIJjEssRo
— Anuradha (@anuradha_kush) March 25, 2016
Journalists should end every question with 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. Then anyone who gives a nasty reply will by default become Anti-National
— Joy (@Joydas) March 25, 2016
>open google mapz>type "antinational">pozt scrinshot of rezultz here
— Norinder Mudi (@NorinderMudi) March 25, 2016
Haha...typed "anti-national" suggested by @mediacrooks in Google Maps & got this -> UoH > the "latest" JNU of South. pic.twitter.com/81iyXJXxT8
— Ram Gopal (@ramgopaldass_77) March 25, 2016
*Open Google Maps* *Type Anti National* *Magic* pic.twitter.com/Xlr0wVIqxP
— Lutyens' Leopard (@Leopard212) March 24, 2016
JNU as "anti-national" on Google Maps? Google India says it is aware of the issue, working to fix it.
— Javed Anwer (@Javed_Del) March 25, 2016
Also read: #Top10Criminals: Why Modi's critics should have shown restraint
On June 3, 2015, Twitter was abuzz after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pictures appeared in a Google search for "Top 10 criminals" page. Some Congress leaders and Modi-baiters started tweeting screenshots of the page; as a result, #Top10criminals started trending on top, on the micro blogging site.
Gloating over the faux pas, for which Google apologised on June 4, Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha asked on Twitter whether Modi’s name figures as one of the top 10 criminals because of 2002 Gujarat riots, fake encounters or the snooping controversy. He even took a dig at the Modi supporters: "Bhakt friends, don't be cynical, dismissive. We're genuinely perturbed to have Mr Modi in #Top10Criminals. After all, he got a "clean chit". Read more here.