India
Sangeet Som courted controversy when he termed Mughal emperors like Babur, Akbar and Aurangzeb 'traitors'.
Updated : Oct 16, 2017, 04:12 PM IST
Courting fresh controversy, BJP MLA Sangeet Som has questioned Taj Mahal's place in history, distorting historical facts to say that it was built by an emperor who had imprisoned his father and targeted Hindus.
In fact, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, was the one imprisoned till the end of his days by his son Aurangzeb.
During a visit to Meerut district, the legislator from Sardhana yesterday also termed Mughal emperors Babur, Akbar and Aurangzeb "traitors" and said their names would be removed from the pages of history.
In comments that come soon after the Yogi Adityanath government reportedly left out the Taj Mahal from an official tourism booklet, Som said, "Many people were pained to see that the Taj Mahal was removed from the list of places (tourist destinations). What type of history? "Is this history that the person who built the Taj Mahal imprisoned his father? Do you call it history when the one who built the Taj targeted many Hindus in Uttar Pradesh and Hindustan?"
Addressing a gathering at Sisoli village after inaugurating a statue of 8th century king Anangpal Singh Tomar, he said invaders of India have been glorified in history.
The lives and achievements of the "real great men" of the country like Maharana Pratap and Shivaji would be taught in schools and colleges, Som said.
There were many Hindu kings who do not find mention in history books. The BJP government would make sure their valour and sacrifice is properly respected, Som said.
He also said no one could stop the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya and Krishna Mandir in Mathura.
Following the controversy over the booklet, the state government had issued a press release stating, "Tourism projects worth Rs 370 crore are proposed, under which schemes worth Rs 156 crore are meant for the Taj Mahal and its surrounding areas in Agra."
Som is not new to controversy, often making the headlines for his provocative statements and actions on issues such as the Dadri lynching and the Muzaffarnagar riots.
If you haven't seen Taj Mahal so far, maybe worth planning soon.
— DoUHaveTheFever? (@sidin) October 16, 2017
Not a nice thing to say about bombay's landmark hotel. Did they refuse him entry? https://t.co/C7YbzP9wZ8
— Salil Tripathi (@saliltripathi) October 16, 2017
Ab to Taj Mahal yahi dekhne ke liye jana padega ki itna outrage kis bala par hai
— Gappistan Radio (@GappistanRadio) October 16, 2017
this is the way envelope is pushed. test waters with outrageous statement. then back off. maybe disassociate. but new water mark established https://t.co/0NPXxHr2EF
— Ajit Ranade (@ajit_ranade) October 16, 2017
How far are we from asking: Should the Taj Mahal not be given the same treatment as the one Taliban meted out to the Bamiyan Buddhas? https://t.co/Kd0hfxaXZ0
— Sushant Singh (@SushantSin) October 16, 2017
Anyone who calls the Taj Mahal a "blot on Indian culture" has very clearly lost the plot.
— Vikram Chandra (@vikramchandra) October 16, 2017
If threatening teens for memes can make one free speech warrior, I hope Time magazine writes how Sangeet Som is the UNESCO ambassador.
— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) October 16, 2017
Sangeet Som,instigator&accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots is the right person to speak on blot&glory to the nation.Sharm toh bech khayi hai https://t.co/obwIsRfmxX
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) October 16, 2017
#SangeetSom is music to some ears
— Newspauper (@ippusultan) October 16, 2017
He has been so for a few years
There is no mystery
When he says #TajMahal has no place in Indian history
"Traitors"also build Red Fort will MODI stop hoisting Tiranga ?Can MODI & YOGI tell domestic & foreign tourist not to visit TAJ MAHAL? https://t.co/3dyDsv7b4e
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) October 16, 2017
A Mental Hospital (extension of the original one in #Agra) would be even better to treat lunatics likes #SangeetSom. #TajMahal #BJPVsTaj
— GhoseSpot (@SandipGhose) October 16, 2017
What is happening in this country nowadays! The #RamRajya was not like this. How can #SangeetSom change the history of Taj Mahal??
— Bhaben Gayary (@BhabenG_SB) October 16, 2017
If you don't know about History then don't try to create a History...#TajMahal #sangeetsom
— Faizan Ahmed (@imfznahmed) October 16, 2017
'Taj Mahal a blot, built by traitors,' says BJP lawmaker Sangeet Som.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) October 16, 2017
He must be against marbles, having lost his.