A fresh controversy erupted on Thursday after four tourists were arrested for allegedly offering namaz at the Shahi mosque in the Taj Mahal premises. Four men were spotted offering namaz at the Shahi mosque at about 5 pm on Wednesday evening after which CISF handed over the four tourists to the local police. Later, the four people arrested got bail.
Following this, a war of words broke out between the head of the Intezamia Committee at Taj Mahal, Ibrahim Zaidi, and Superintending archaeologist, ASI, Agra Circle Raj Kumar Patel. “Four people were arrested for offering namaz at the mosque in Taj Mahal premises. Three of them are from Hyderabad and one is from Azamgarh. They have been booked under Section 153 of IPC which punishes provoking with intent to cause riots. They have been presented in the court,” said Vikas Kumar, SP City Agra.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has said that offering namaz is not allowed at the mosque except on Friday as per the order of the Supreme Court of India to which the head of the Intezamia Committee at Taj Mahal, Ibrahim Zaidi, said that “Namaz was offered at the Taj Mahal regularly earlier but just few days ago the ASI said that offering namaz is not allowed at the mosque except Friday as per the order of the Supreme Court of India.” He also said that the committee had asked the ASI to give the prohibition in writing with proof and also display a board announcing the prohibition to the tourists.
On allegations levelled against him by Ibrahim Zaidi, Superintending archaeologist, ASI, Agra Circle Raj Kumar Patel said, “Allegations are completely wrong and even on Friday only the residents of Tajganj locality where the mausoleum is located are allowed to pray between 12 pm and 2 pm. Even in the past, there was no permission to offer namaz on other days.