Unhappy Twitterati Slam Sangeet Som For His Taj Mahal Comment, Here's How They Reacted

The BJP leader said Taj Mahal is a blot on the Indian culture.

Updated on: 16 October 2017 2:01 pm

Bharatiya Janata party(BJP) MLA Sangeet Som has courted a controversy by saying that Taj Mahal is a blot on the Indian culture.

The BJP leader made the remark during an event at the Sisoli village in Meerut district on Sunday.

While addressing a gathering, Som said, "Many people were disappointed that the Taj Mahal was removed from the Uttar Pradesh tourism booklet. What history are we talking about? The creator of Taj Mahal (Shahjehan) imprisoned his father. He wanted to wipe out Hindus. If these people are part of our history, then it is very sad and we will change this history."

Responding to the controversy, the Uttar Pradesh government said Taj Mahal is a part of "our proud heritage". "It might be his individual opinion, CM Yogi Adityanath and I call it part of our cultural heritage. It is heritage and it is a major tourist spot. We are committed to the upliftment of Agra and Taj. From a tourist's point of view, we are proud of the Taj Mahal," said state tourism minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi.

The opposition condemned Som’s charges. “BJP is preaching hatred. History can’t be changed. We must learn from history, both good and bad. These comments are by people who are stuck in history and have a narrow mindset,” said Samajwadi Party spokesperson, CP Rai.

Unhappy with Som’s comment, people quickly took to Twitter and slammed the BJP leader.

Here are some of the reactions:

Taj Mahal is built by someone who exploited the country...
But can the RSS tell us one thing that they've built which could help tourism?
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) October 16, 2017

Taj Mahal is such a non issue but politicians will continue to try and divide this country aur yaha twitter pe hum RW LW khelte rahe hai
— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) October 16, 2017

The blot on our culture is this plot that is unfolding. #TajMahal
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) October 16, 2017

Apart from the hardcore Hindutva few I doubt even most Modi voters have a problem with the Taj Mahal. It's a national symbol of pride now.
— Krishan Partap Singh (@RaisinaSeries) October 16, 2017

The Taj Mahal is how the world popularly noticed India. Not sure abt culture, but your thinking is definitely a blot on the office you hold.
— Mihir Bijur (@MihirBijur) October 16, 2017

'Taj Mahal a blot, built by traitors,' says BJP lawmaker Sangeet Som.
He must be against marbles, having lost his.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) October 16, 2017

Som's comments came days after reports in a section of the media that a booklet brought out by the tourism department of the Uttar Pradesh government left out the Taj Mahal from its list of major tourist destinations.

Following the reports, 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."

(With agency inputs)