Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Sangeet Som triggered a controversy as he declared that the Taj Mahal -- considered one of the world’s seven wonders -- did not deserve a place in India’s history.
The Uttar Pradesh MLA was speaking at a public gathering in Meerut. His remarks followed a recent debate over the monument after a new UP tourism booklet allegedly left out the Taj as one of the state’s main attractions.
“Many people were disappointed when Taj Mahal was removed from Indian history. What history are you talking about? The creator of the Taj Mahal (Mughal emperor Shah Jahan) imprisoned his own father. He wanted to wipe out Hindus from Hindustan,” Som is heard telling a crowd in a video. Shah Jahan never imprisoned his father Jehangir. It was Shah Jahan’s son, the sixth Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who placed him under house arrest at the Agra Fort.
Responding to Som’s comments, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi asked if the government would tell tourists not to visit the monument.
On Twitter, users took issue with Som saying that the Taj Mahal was a ‘blot’ on Indian culture. Many called out Som for trying to politicise the monument and pointed out his selective outrage. A few others defended Som’s right to his opinion.
{{/usCountry}}On Twitter, users took issue with Som saying that the Taj Mahal was a ‘blot’ on Indian culture. Many called out Som for trying to politicise the monument and pointed out his selective outrage. A few others defended Som’s right to his opinion.
{{/usCountry}}Here is a selection of Twitter’s sharpest barbs against Som’s comments: