Indian Minister Claims Taj Mahal Was Originally a Temple

Kailash Vijayvargiya, the Urban Administration Minister of Madhya Pradesh and senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has ignited a fresh controversy by claiming that the Taj Mahal, one of the world's most iconic monuments, was originally a Hindu temple. Speaking at the inauguration of a cricket tournament in Bina city, Vijayvargiya stated that the Taj Mahal was initially a temple before being converted into a mausoleum by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

According to the BJP leader, Mumtaz Mahal was first buried in Burhanpur, and later her remains were moved to a site where a temple was under construction, which eventually became the Taj Mahal. His statement has triggered a sharp political debate in India and sparked widespread reactions on social media.

While some of Vijayvargiya's supporters hailed his comments as a "historical explanation," critics have condemned them as provocative and misleading. The minister's remarks have drawn harsh criticism from opposition parties, including Congress. Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta accused BJP ministers of crossing limits and creating confusion in the public mind. He sarcastically suggested that some BJP leaders might consider writing new history books.

Vijayvargiya's recent remarks come amid other controversial statements, including his comments about women’s attire and his earlier statement regarding the treatment of female Australian cricketers. His comments have often been criticized for sexism and for interfering with personal freedoms.