‘If Taj is symbol of repression, so is Rashtrapati Bhawan’

BAREILLY: Taking a jibe at the state government for the omission of Taj Mahal from the official tourism department brochure, senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has said if the Taj Mahal has been removed because it is a symbol of repression, he supports the decision.

“Every symbol of repression must be removed from the country and the government must issue orders to demolish them,” he said while addressing the media at his residence in Rampur on Tuesday.

”By this logic, Red Fort in Delhi, Agra Fort, the state assembly and the Rashtrapati Bhawan are also symbols of repression and must be demolished,” he said.

The recent controversy on the 17 century structure erupted when the monument was omitted from the 32 -page brochure of the UP tourism department titled ‘Uttar Pradesh Paryatan- Apaar Sambhavnaye’, depicting famous heritage sites of the state. The move is in line with what some call “sheer neglect of the Taj Mahal.” Before this, no cultural heritage fund was allotted for the Taj Mahal in the current state budget.

“Ek zamane main baat chali thi Taj Mahal ko giraana chahiye.Yogi ji is tarah ka nirnay lenge to hamara sahyog rahega (There were talks of demolishing the Taj Mahal once. If Yogiji takes such a decision he will get my support),” Khan reportedly told the media.

When contacted on Wednesday for a clarification, he said, “I am against repression of any kind and my statement proves my stand. But if Taj Mahal is a symbol of repression, many more buildings in this country are also such symbols.”