RIGHT WINGERS THREATEN TO HOLD PUJA AT TAJ MAHAL

Namaz being offered at the mosque on the premises of Taj Mahal on Tuesday.(ht Photo ) AGRA,(HINDUSTAN TIMES),16NOV 2018 - The controversy over ‘namaz’ at the mosque on Taj Mahal premises has taken a new turn, with right wing outfits threatening to offer ‘puja’ at the monument which they consider to be a Shiva temple (Tejomahalaya) allegedly converted into the present day mausoleum.

Muslims offered ‘namaz’ at the mosque on Tuesday, despite objection by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) staff on duty, to assert their right to prayers. The ASI officials say ‘namaz’ can only be offered on Friday and not on other week days.

“There is a tradition that ‘Juma namaz’ (Friday prayers) can only be offered if five time ‘namaz’ is performed in a mosque every day. The Taj Mahal came up after the mosque.‘namaz’ has been offered at this mosque since the past 400 years said Ibrahim Zaidi, president of Mosque Taj Mahal Intazamia Committee.

Govind Parashar, leader of Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, termed the video an ‘act of provocation’ to which they could not remain silent spectators.

“...We will also conduct ‘pooja’ at Taj Mahal...” he said.