Kerala's Tourism Department took to Twitter thanking the iconic Taj Mahal for 'inspiring millions to discover India', at a time when controversy surrounds the monument after ministers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Uttar Pradesh questioned its importance as a heritage symbol.
The tweet by the Kerala Tourism reads, "God's Own Country salutes the #TajMahal for inspiring millions to discover India. #incredibleindia"
The post was shared both on the official Facebook and Twitter handles of the Kerala Tourism.
Users took to social media to comment on the not-so-covert messaging from the state, at a time when the current Pinarayi Vijayan government is battling the BJP in the perception game.
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The Mughal mausoleum came into controversy earlier in the week after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sangeet Som said that there is no reason to glorify the Taj Mahal as it was a 'blot on Indian culture'. He further stated that, Shahjahan tormented Hindu people and imprisoned his own father.
Meanwhile, another BJP MP Vinay Katiyar took the world to shock with his controversial statement saying that the Taj Mahal is actually a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. He also added that in the past there used to be a Shiva linga, (the phallus statue denoting Shiva) inside the mausoleum, where water used to drip from the roof, but was later replaced with a mazaar.
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Soon following that, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath snubbed the remarks, saying the Taj Mahal was built by sweat and blood by Indian labours.
With ANI Inputs
