Claims of Shiva temple dismissed as baseless; community leaders call for unity
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — A fresh controversy surrounding the Taj Mahal has ignited tensions after the Yogi Youth Brigade demanded a survey of the monument, claiming it to be a Shiva temple called ‘Tejo Mahalaya’. The group has also requested permission to perform Hindu rituals at the site, including water offerings and prayers.
The petition, filed by Kunwar Ajay Tomar, state president of the Yogi Youth Brigade, has drawn sharp criticism from Muslim leaders, historians, and secular Hindus who view the move as a deliberate attempt to polarise communities. “This is not about history; it’s about creating divisions,” said Dr Arif Qureshi, a historian and member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. “The Taj Mahal is an integral part of India’s cultural and Islamic heritage. Such claims only serve to harm our unity.”
Muslim leaders have expressed anger over the persistent targeting of monuments linked to their heritage. Syed Ibrahim Hussain Zaidi, a key figure opposing the petition, stated, “The Taj Mahal is not just a mausoleum; it is a symbol of India’s pluralistic culture. These claims are baseless and insulting to the legacy of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.”
Zaidi had applied to become a party to the case to defend the monument’s status as a protected structure and Waqf Board property. However, Tomar’s side has strongly objected, arguing that Zaidi has no right to be involved in the case.
“This is a blatant attempt to erase our contributions to India’s culture and history,” said Maulana Abdul Hamid, an Islamic scholar. “We will not allow our heritage to be trampled upon by those pushing communal agendas.”
The controversy has also drawn condemnation from secular Hindus, who see the demands as an affront to India’s secular fabric. Renowned writer and activist Arundhati Mishra remarked, “The Taj Mahal is not a battleground for communal politics. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that belongs to all Indians, not just one community. Such efforts to rewrite history are dangerous.”
Similarly, social activist Anil Mehta called for unity: “Instead of debating the origins of a monument, we should focus on preserving its beauty and heritage. The country needs progress, not unnecessary disputes that divide us further.”
The petitioners have demanded a 15-foot excavation beneath the Taj Mahal’s main tomb to prove their claim that it was a Shiva temple. “A survey must be conducted to reveal the truth,” said Tomar. He further alleged, “The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Zaidi are conspiring to delay the case because they lack evidence.”
The petitioners have also sought permission to perform rituals like Jalabhishek during Hindu festivals. “It is our right to worship at our sacred site,” said Tomar’s advocate Shiv Aadhar Singh Tomar.
Historians and experts have largely dismissed the claims as lacking any credible evidence. Dr Partha Mukherjee, a historian from Delhi University, called the allegations “unfounded” and “an insult to historical scholarship.”
“Such petitions are not about uncovering the truth but about creating distractions,” said Mukherjee. “The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, and no credible historical source supports the other wild claims.”
Muslim leaders and secular activists have criticised the attempts to use legal avenues to communalise historical monuments. “This is a dangerous trend,” said Asma Khan, a prominent women’s rights activist. “From the Gyanvapi Masjid to the Taj Mahal, these claims are part of a larger agenda to target minorities and their heritage.”
Legal experts also weighed in, questioning the intent behind the repeated demands for surveys of historical monuments. “The courts are being burdened with cases that have no legal or historical merit,” said senior advocate Aftab Ali.
The Taj Mahal case comes against the backdrop of similar disputes across the country. Recently, controversies erupted over surveys at the Jama Masjid in Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh and the revered dargah in Ajmer, with claims that these Islamic sites were built over Hindu temples.
“This is not an isolated incident,” said political analyst Dr Nandini Rao. “It’s part of a larger attempt to rewrite India’s secular history and replace it with a narrow, divisive narrative.”
As tensions escalate, community leaders and intellectuals have called for restraint and focus on preserving the nation’s heritage. “India’s strength lies in its diversity,” said Prof Arun Sharma, a sociologist. “We must protect that, not destroy it by dividing ourselves over baseless claims.”
Activist Arundhati Mishra said the controversy is not about the Taj Mahal. “It’s about what kind of country we want to be — a united, secular India or a fragmented one driven by hate.”
The controversy continues to capture national attention, highlighting the delicate balance between heritage, faith, and India’s secular ethos.Show trimmed content
