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Malaysian women tourists wave national flag at Taj, give written apology later

The incident took place on Thursday morning at about 8 am . About six Malayasian women tourists accompanied by an Indian entered Taj. Later, a video went viral in which these women were seen holding their national flag on the pathway near the central tank.

Updated on: Feb 15, 2024, 19:36:56 IST
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Agra In violation of norms, a group of women tourists from Malaysia waved their national flag while standing on the pathway near the central tank on Taj Mahal premises on Thursday morning. Later, on being questioned, they expressed ignorance about restrictions on such things at Taj and were allowed to go after submitting a written apology.

There is a restriction on promotional, commercial and canvassing activities on Taj Mahal premises. (HT FILE)
There is a restriction on promotional, commercial and canvassing activities on Taj Mahal premises. (HT FILE)

“The incident took place on Thursday morning at about 8 am . About six Malaysian women tourists accompanied by an Indian entered Taj. Later, a video went viral in which these women were seen holding their national flag on the pathway near the central tank,” said Prince Vajpayee, senior conservation assistant, Archaeological Survey of India.

“They got themselves photographed while holding the flag. On being questioned, they said they did not know about restrictions on canvassing or promotional activities at Taj Mahal,” he said .

“They tendered a written apology and were allowed to go. The Indian accompanying them also expressed ignorance about the norms at Taj,” said Vajpayee .

Such incidents take place off and on and those indulging in such activities express ignorance and apologise. Although mobile is allowed now, tourists cannot carry other items. However, such material often skips frisking at Taj Mahal gates.

The popularity of Taj Mahal often lures the visitors to canvas or promote things with Taj in the background. So, there is a restriction on promotional, commercial and canvassing activities on Taj Mahal premises.

Stringent checking and frisking take place at both eastern and western gates of Taj Mahal and staff from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) takes care of internal security . Bags are checked when tourist cross DFMD (Door Framed Metal Detector) near entry gates .

  • Hemendra Chaturvedi
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Hemendra Chaturvedi

    Hemendra Chaturvedi is a senior journalist based at Agra. He covers eight districts of Agra and Aligarh division namely Agra, Mathura, Mainpuri, Firozabad, Aligarh, Etah, Kasganj and Hathras. He had been with HT since 1992 and has completed three decades of association with HT and has worked for Hindustan Times only all through his career of about 35 years. Having Masters in Chemistry, Hemendra is also a law graduate with diploma in Personnel Management and has utilised broad based academic qualifications in his indepth, accurate and high impact stories from this part of western Uttar Pradesh while being based in the city of Taj Mahal. In such long span of career with Hindustan Times, Hemendra Chaturvedi has led his team of reporters which was instrumental in bringing out supplements including Region Scan, Agra Live, HT City time to time and proven his leadership qualities and has made presence of HT felt in the region covered by him. In the process of time, Hemendra has attained expertise in a variety of beats, being sole reporter for HT and has covered Aligarh Muslim University, Taj Mahal centric tourism, religiously sensitive city of Mathura and had been witness to Agra Summit having attendance of top leaders of India and Pakistan.Read More