Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the world iconic Taj Mahal, Haryana Minister on Friday said that the monument is a ‘beautiful graveyard’ and that most people don't prefer keeping its model at home because it brings badluck.
“Taj mahal ek khoobsurat kabristan hai. Yahi kaaran hai ki isko ashubh maante huye iska model log apne gharon men nahi rakhte hain,” He told news agency ANI.
Earlier this month the Uttar Pradesh government dropped ‘Taj Mahal’ from its tourism booklet, following which BJP hardliner Sangeet Som said it was a good decision. This was followed by another controversial BJP MP Vinay Katiyar saying that the Taj Mahal is actually a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. As the row went out of hand, CM Adityanath stated that Taj Mahal 'was built by the sweat and blood of the sons of Bharat Mata'.
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This is not for the first time that Anil Vij has issued a controversial statement.
In February, the minister said that those who can not live without beef should not visit Haryana.
Vij was also criticised critically for his controversial comment on Gandhi, he said, “Since the time when Gandhi’s name got associated with Khadi it could not progress. The day Mahatma Gandhi came on the rupee, its devaluation started. Gradually, he will be removed from the notes also. It’s good that Gandhi has been replaced with Modi. Modi is a bigger brand name. After Modi’s association with khadi, there has been 14% increase in sale of the products.”
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However, Vij later claimed the he was misquoted and apologised for it.
“The comment I made on Mahatma Gandhi is my personal opinion, to avoid hurting anyone’s sentiments, I take it back,” he said.
