ASI launches probe after a man from Muzaffarnagar evades checks, claims the monument as ‘Tejo Mahalaya’
AGRA – A controversy has erupted after a man claiming to be a worker of the Karni Sena entered the Taj Mahal and sprinkled what he called Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges) on the graves of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The incident, captured in a viral video, has raised serious concerns over security at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The man, identified as Gaurav Chauhan from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, was seen carrying a plastic bottle inside the monument, chanting “Har Har Mahadev” before pouring the liquid on the marble tombs. In the video posted on Tuesday, he also claimed that the Taj Mahal is actually “Tejo Mahalaya”, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and vowed that a temple would be built there soon.
Visitors to the Taj Mahal undergo strict checks, with water bottles, food, and other items prohibited. Despite this, Chauhan managed to enter with the bottle unnoticed, prompting questions about surveillance and enforcement.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has launched an investigation. An ASI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We are reviewing CCTV footage and security protocols. Such an incident should not have happened.”
While some Hindu groups have supported Chauhan’s actions, historians and Muslim community leaders have condemned the act. Maulana Khalid Nomani, a prominent cleric, called it “a deliberate provocation”, adding, “The Taj Mahal is a symbol of love, not a place for religious disputes.”
Meanwhile, Rajeev Saxena, a local tour guide, expressed frustration: “This is disrespectful to India’s heritage. The Taj belongs to everyone, regardless of faith.”
Uttar Pradesh Police have registered a case, but Chauhan remains at large. The Karni Sena has distanced itself from Chauhan, with a spokesperson stating: “We do not endorse such acts.”
Opposition leaders have criticised the state government for failing to protect the monument. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted: “If security is so weak at the Taj, what about other heritage sites?”
The ASI is expected to tighten entry checks, while authorities assess legal action against Chauhan. The incident has reignited debates over historical narratives and the politicization of monuments.
For now, the Taj Mahal remains open, but with heightened vigilance—leaving many to wonder how such a breach occurred in the first place.
