Two men from a right-wing organization were arrested for allegedly offering Gangajal at the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, during the holy month of Sawan. The men, claiming to be associated with the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, argued that they were performing a religious ritual at what they believe to be ‘Tejo Mahalay,’ a Shiva temple.
Arrest Details
The Tajganj Police confirmed the arrest of the two individuals at the Taj Mahal premises. A video circulating on social media shows one of the men pouring water from a plastic bottle onto a closed staircase leading to the basement of the Taj Mahal, which houses the original graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. They insisted that the Taj Mahal is not a monument but a Shiva temple, and the holy water was poured onto a sticker displaying “Om.”
इन बेवकुफो को कोई समझाओ कीं सावन में गंगा जल शिवलिंग पर चढ़ाया जाता है ना कीं कब्र पर
आगरा :ताजमहल के अंदर कब्र पर अखिल भारत हिन्दू महासभा के कार्यकर्ताओं ने गंगाजल चढ़ाया।#tajmahal pic.twitter.com/6s0vDrc0CO
— Gaurav Yadav (@ygauravyadav) August 3, 2024
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for the security of the Taj Mahal, arrested the men. They had entered the premises as tourists, having purchased tickets, which allowed them to bring in water bottles.
Ongoing Controversy
Efforts to rename the Taj Mahal as a Shiva temple have been ongoing, with occasional attempts to conduct aarti or pujas at the site. A court case is currently underway seeking permission for such religious offerings. The month of Sawan is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and groups aligned with Hindutva ideology often refer to the Taj Mahal as ‘Tejo Mahalay.’
Agra city Deputy Commissioner of Police Suraj Rai confirmed that the two men are in custody at the Taj Ganj police station, and a probe is underway.
Previously, a woman activist from the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha attempted to enter the Taj Mahal carrying water from the Ganga River at Soron in Kasganj but was stopped by police at a barricade.
