Agra, Oct 26: Terming the Taj Mahal as “India’s gem”, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the Mughal monument is “an integral part of our culture” and the government is committed to its conservation.
Addressing a rally Thursday at the Government Inter College grounds here, Adityanath slammed the Opposition for politicising his visit to the Taj Mahal. Before addressing the rally, Adityanath swept the road outside the Taj Mahal and then went inside the monument in a damage control exercise following the controversy over its place in Indian heritage.
The much publicised visit, the first by the CM, comes days after the party’s leaders and ministers made provocative statements against the famed symbol of love.
In his address at the rally, Adityanath said, “We should not delve deeper into the details of why, when and how the Taj Mahal was built, but what is important is that it was built by the wealth and hard work of India’s labourers.” “The Taj Mahal attracts lakhs of tourists worldwide. It gives Agra recognition and creates employment,” he said at the rally.
Hitting out at those objecting to his Agra visit, Adityanath said people making such remarks were those who have divided society on caste lines. “They always ignored Agra and when our tourism ministry is working very hard to put the city on the international tourism map, they are raising unnecessary objections,” the chief minister said.
Adityanath said Agra is a unique city where five world heritage sites are situated — the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra and Itimad-ud-Daula’s tomb. These five places have tremendous tourism opportunities, Adityanath said. Everyday, nearly 40-50,000 tourists, including foreigners visit Agra, the CM noted.
“If we develop infrastructure, this number can reach 2.5 to 3 lakh. Our government is committed to develop Agra as an international tourist hub. These developments not only increase tourism but also create employment opportunities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s MLA from Agra North Jagan Prasad Garg said the Taj Mahal was built by demolishing a Shiva temple. “Several historians believe that there was a Shiva temple at the place where the Taj Mahal is located. Mughals first demolished the Shiva temple and then built the Taj Mahal. It is a fact,” he said. Garg, however, added that the BJP believes in the Taj Mahal and acknowledge its importance.
