In a recent incident at the Taj Mahal, two men were arrested for allegedly offering Gangajal, or holy water, at the iconic monument. The arrest occurred on Saturday, coinciding with the Sawan month, a period dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Tajganj Police confirmed that the arrested individuals, who identify themselves as members of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, were detained for their actions on the Taj Mahal premises. The men reportedly considered the monument to be a Shiva temple, referred to by them as ‘TejoMahalay’, and poured holy water from plastic bottles on the monument.
A video circulating on social media shows one of the accused pouring the water on a closed staircase leading to the basement of the Taj Mahal, which contains the graves of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The men argued that the Taj Mahal was not a mere monument but a Shiva temple, and their actions were meant as a religious offering.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for the security of the Taj Mahal, detained the individuals after they entered the site under the guise of tourists. The two men had purchased tickets, allowing them to carry water bottles into the monument.
This act has ignited controversy, as there have been ongoing efforts by certain groups to rebrand the Taj Mahal as a Hindu temple. Previous attempts include performing rituals like aarti or pujas at the monument. The incident is being investigated by the police, and the accused are currently in custody at the Taj Ganj police station.
Agra City Deputy Commissioner of Police, Suraj Rai, stated that a court case is underway locally, seeking permission for such religious offerings. The month of Sawan is particularly significant to Hindu devotees of Lord Shiva, and right-wing groups have previously engaged in similar acts, including reciting the ‘Shiv Chalisa’ within the Taj Mahal complex during religious festivals.
Earlier, a woman activist from the same organization attempted to bring water from the Ganges to the Taj Mahal but was stopped by police at a barricade. The ongoing efforts to intertwine religious practices with the monument’s historical significance continue to stir debate and legal scrutiny.
Sources By Agencies
