NEW DELHI -In a new controversy against Muslims, Now Indian BJP claims TajMahal was build on Hindu Temple.
An Indian politician has sparked fresh controversy after saying that TajMahal, a popular tourist destination in the northern state of UttarPradesh, will soon be turned into a Hindu Temple.
The stunning white marble mausoleum was built in the 17th century by MughalKing Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, in Agra, about 200kmfrom the Indian capital, New Delhi, Al Jazeera has reported.
Vinay Katiyar, a member of parliament for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party(BJPlink),told local media on Monday that “there is not much difference between Tajand Tej [Mandir]”, referring to a Hindu far-right claim that a templeexisted in place of Taj Mahal.
“It was our temple. Taj Mahal will be converted into Tej Mandir soon,” hesaid.
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This is not the first time that Katiyar, who is currently facing a criminaltrial for his role in the demolition of the 16th century Babri mosquelink in 1992,has made such a claim. In October 2017, he was again quoted as saying thatTaj Mahal was actually a Shiv temple.
Unfounded claims that Taj Mahal is a Hindu Temple have been expressedsporadically over the years, mainly by fringe, far-right groups.
In August, replying to a petition by Hindu groups, governmentarchaeologists told Indialink Supreme Court thatthe monument was indeed a Muslim tomb and not a temple.
