New Delhi: "Who does the Taj Mahal belong to?" - an MP on Monday raised this question in Parliament on the legendary 17th century monument that has been dragged into controversial statements by politicians across parties.
Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM asked the question in the Lok Sabha when union culture minister Mahesh Sharma was responding to a question on museums. Mr Owaisi asked the question twice but was ignored by the minister, who continued to answer other questions.
On Sunday, the minister's party colleague in Uttar Pradesh had been less than circumspect and claimed that the world-renowned Taj Mahal was part of an ancient temple.
Lakshmikant Bajpai, the chief of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, told reporters that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had bought a part of "Tejo Mahalaya" temple land from one Raja Jai Singh and claimed that there are documents to prove it.
Mr Bajpai also alleged that Azam Khan, Uttar Pradesh Minister and Samajwadi Party leader, was trying to stake claim to the iconic monument.
"Azam's dream to offer namaz five times at the Taj will never be fulfilled," he said.
Mr Khan had said in November that the monument should be declared a property of the Waqf Board, which has jurisdiction over Muslim tombs and graves.
Mr Khan, who is Waqf minister, had also said that revenue from the Taj Mahal should be used for the education of Muslims.
Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM asked the question in the Lok Sabha when union culture minister Mahesh Sharma was responding to a question on museums. Mr Owaisi asked the question twice but was ignored by the minister, who continued to answer other questions.
On Sunday, the minister's party colleague in Uttar Pradesh had been less than circumspect and claimed that the world-renowned Taj Mahal was part of an ancient temple.
Mr Bajpai also alleged that Azam Khan, Uttar Pradesh Minister and Samajwadi Party leader, was trying to stake claim to the iconic monument.
Advertisement
Mr Khan had said in November that the monument should be declared a property of the Waqf Board, which has jurisdiction over Muslim tombs and graves.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Can't Sleep": Pakistan Pacer Shares Own Video Of Getting Smacked By Babar Azam "Khelte Kam, Bolte Zyada": Pakistan Great Slams Babar Azam. Says This On Virat Kohli Water Leakage In Taj Mahal's Main Dome After Heavy Rain 9 Dead, 2,800 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel 'Pager Bombs' Target Hezbollah In Lebanon. What We Know So Far - 5 Points Highlights: Arvind Kejriwal Resigns, Atishi To Be Delhi Chief Minister Kamala Harris Dials Trump After Apparent Assassination Attempt Ghislaine Maxwell's Sex-Trafficking Conviction Upheld, Appeal Planned Stage Set For Phase 1 Of J&K Elections Today, 24 Seats Up For Contest Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.