ASI seeks CISF report after tourists chant 'bhajans' inside Taj Mahal

Lucknow: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Wednesday sought a report from the CISF after a video purportedly showing a group of tourists chanting ‘bhajan’ (religious songs) inside the Taj Mahal, went viral on social media, a day before the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Zuha.

The CISF looks after the security of the Taj Mahal.

The video purportedly showed a group of tourists, including women, sitting on the marble floor of the ‘Monument of Love’ and chanting religious songs and clapping. The place where the ‘bhajan’ took place was just opposite the main tomb. There appeared to be around 15 to20 people in the group.

A senior official associated with the conservation of the Taj Mahal said that the ASI had taken note of the video and that a report had been sought from the CISF after which the next course of action would be decided.

As the Taj was an ASI-protected monument, religious activities inside the premises were completely banned. ‘Namaz’ was allowed in the premises only on the Fridays, Ramzan and Eid.

Several Hindu outfits have claimed that the Taj Mahal was originally a ‘Shiva Temple’ that was later demolished by the Muslim rulers. In the past, saffron activists have attempted to recite ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ (hymns praising Lord Hanuman) and offer water inside the monument premises.

A petition was also filed in the local court contending that the premises was a Hindu Temple and its possession be given to the Hindus.