Muzaffarnagar riot accused Sangeet Som says, Taj Mahal is a blot on Indian culture

BJP MLA Sangeet Som sparked fresh controversy by saying ‘Taj Mahal was built by traitors’ and is a ‘blot on Indian Culture’

The Muzaffarnagar riot accused BJP legislator said that the ‘invaders’ of India have been glorified in history, but soon the name Babur, Akbar and Aurangzeb would be removed from the pages of history while addressing the gathering at Sisoli village.

The legislator from Sardhana assembly seat has a record of engaging in communal remarks. Targeting the Taj Mahal he said, “Do you call it a history when the one who built the Taj targeted many Hindus in Uttar Pradesh and Hindustan?”

However, Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister, Reeta Bahuguna Joshi, tried to maintain distance from Som’s remark by Calling it a personal opinion of the legislator. She said, “Chief Minister Adityanath and I call it part of our cultural heritage. It is heritage and a major tourist spot. We are committed to the upliftment of Agra and the Taj.”

Leader across the political parties criticised the remark. However, Som was defended by his colleague and BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao, “There have been attempts to distort Indian history,” he said. “It is a symbol of barbarism, and it is a monument.”

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on his Twitter: “No more Red Fort speeches on 15th August? The PM will address the nation from Nehru Stadium…”

Earlier CM Yogi had too said that the monument “had no connection with India’s culture or heritage” and the historical monument was removed from the booklet of UP tourism.