Tejo Mahal Name Rejected, Taj Mahal Remains Taj Mahal

AGRA, (IANS) – Another attempt to force change the name of the Taj Mahal to “Tejo Mahal” fell flat, after noisy scenes and frayed tempers in a special session of the Agra Municipal Corporation on August 31.

A corporator had moved a resolution demanding the name change, based on claimed “historical evidence” that the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple.

But due to the din, and groups of corporators shouting slogans, the matter could not be taken up. Mayor Navin Jain adjourned the house indefinitely, after failing to bring the session to order.

While the group was adamant, the BSP and Congress corporators opposed the initiative, saying that the High Court and the Supreme Court, had already dismissed the plea.

Outside the house, various Hindutva groups continued to shout slogans, as corporation officials tried hard to pacify the agitated members of the house.

Senior BJP corporator Anurag Chaturvedi said that the initiative was legally flawed and could not be pursued. The property belongs to the ASI, therefore only the Union government could take a decision.

The term of the Agra Municipal Corporation ends in November. Ahead of the elections, the parties are trying to raise the pitch.

Meanwhile, the Agra tourism industry has suggested maintaining the status quo.