Debate rages on security measures at the UNESCO World Heritage Site
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Videos that went viral on social media on Wednesday show a woman Hindutva leader entering the iconic Taj Mahal carrying ‘Gangajal’ (sacred water for Hindus) and ‘Shivling’ to perform ‘pooja’ inside the historical monument in Agra.
On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, Meera Rathore, district president of the women’s wing of the All India Hindu Mahasabha, performed a special pooja of Lord Shiva inside the Taj Mahal.
In viral videos, she is seen offering Gangajal from Sangam Prayagraj to a Shivling, performing rituals within the monument. This act has reignited debate on security measures at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Hindutva leader could be seen chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’ while folding her hands inside the Taj Mahal.
Rathore said she wanted to purify the historical monument which was marred with ‘Chadar’ and ‘Biryani’.
Meanwhile, in a statement on the viral video, the tourism police acknowledged that the woman reached the monument in Agra with a Shivling. ACP Taj Security said the woman did not enter the Taj Mahal and the worship video was fake. He said that CISF did not lodge any complaint in the matter, and action will be taken after receiving the complaint.
Members of the Hindu Mahasabha had vowed to install a Shivling in the Taj Mahal after their visit to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. As promised, they brought holy water from the Ganges, purified the Taj Mahal (which they refer to as “Tejo Mahalaya”), and performed the sacred Jalabhishek inside the historic structure.
Meera Rathore defended her actions, stating, “On Mahashivratri, saints and devotees across the world perform holy baths, so how can Bhole Baba remain without a bath inside Tejo Mahalaya?” Her remarks and videos of the pooja have gone viral, triggering both religious support and security concerns.
This is not the first time Rathore has made headlines for such acts. Earlier, she was caught hoisting a saffron flag inside the Taj Mahal, leading to controversy and legal action.
With multiple incidents of Hindutva activities inside the Taj Mahal, questions are being raised about the effectiveness of security checks at one of India’s most protected monuments. Authorities are likely to investigate how religious offerings and rituals were conducted inside the premises without prior permission.
