The youths, belonging to Rashtra Swabhimaan Dal (RSD) and Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), were taken away by CISF personnel and released after they submitted a written apology.
A dozen youths belonging to Hindu outfits were caught reciting ‘Shiva Chalisa (hymn)’ on the premises of the Taj Mahal, causing tension at the iconic monument, which, they claimed, was originally a Shiv temple.
The youths, belonging to Rashtra Swabhimaan Dal (RSD) and Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), were taken away by CISF personnel and released after they submitted a written apology.
The incident comes a week after controversial BJP MLA Sangeet Som questioned the Taj Mahal’s place in history, saying that the iconic monument was built by ‘traitors’ who targeted Hindus.
His comments caused a political stir across the country following which the BJP governments in UP and the Centre distanced themselves from the MLA’s comments.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath is slated to visit Taj on October 26 to review various schemes related to tourism in Agra.
Deepak Sharma (30) of RSD, who led the group of youths on Monday, justified the act, saying it was natural to recite ‘Shiv Chalisa’ on Monday, it being day of Lord Shiva and that Taj Mahal originally was a Shiva temple.
“It was basically ‘Tejomalaya’, a Shiva temple, which was demolished by Mughal rulers to make the Taj Mahal,” he said.
“I was accompanied by some other RSD activists and those from Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), including the Aligarh unit president of HYV, Bharat Goswami,” he said.
Sharma is from Hathras near Agra but has been active in Delhi after completing his post-graduation. He is not new to controversies and claimed that he had blackened the face of noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan after he advocated a referendum in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We did nothing wrong but apologised in writing because we were told by CISF officials that recital of ‘Shiva Chalisa’ was in violation of the Supreme Court orders. We respect the Supreme Court and had no intention to hurt religious feeling of any sect,” Sharma said.
“We plan to file a PIL in the apex court to find an answer as to why Hindus are not allowed to recite ‘Shiv Chalisa’ at the Taj, the building of which is owned by central government, when Muslims can offer namaz there,” he added.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that BJP lawmaker Sangeet Som's comments on historical monument Taj Mahal were his personal views and the state government doesn't endorse it.
The Chief Minister said that it does not matter who built it and for what reason but what is important is that it was built by blood and sweat of Indian labourers.
CM Yogi also said that the monument, a symbol of love, is very important for the state government and it their responsibility to provide facilities and safety to tourist visiting.
Not only this, Yogi will be in Agra on 26th October and he will visit Taj Mahal and other monuments in the city.
Taking a dig at BJP legislator Sangeet Som who called the Taj Mahal a blot on Indian history because it was built by foreign rulers, Samajawadi Party MLA Azam Khan on Tuesday said all 'symbols of slavery' like Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi should be demolished.
"I won't respond to him (Som). But I have always been saying that all symbols of slavery in India should be demolished. It is true that Mughals conquered India. But I won't get into how they came and who brought them to India because it will create a bitter debate. Some people will mind my opinion about that because they don't like the truth," Khan said, speaking to a TV channel.
"Why only the Taj Mahal? Why not the Parliament? Why not the Rashtrapati Bhavan? Why not the Qutub Minar? Why not the Red Fort in Delhi? Why not the Agra Fort? These are the signs of traitors."
Without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Khan, known for his sharp comments aimed at his political rivals, said he had already made an appeal to the "Baadshah" and to the "younger Baadshah" that they should move forward in razing down these monuments "built by traitors and we will follow them"
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