Don't oppose Taj Mahal, against Mughals who built it: BJP MLA

NEW DELHI: BJP MLA Sangeet Som on Monday clarified that he does "not oppose the Taj Mahal," but instead opposes "the Mughals who built it."

"I do not oppose the Taj Mahal. It's beautiful heritage. I oppose the Mughals who built it and how they've been portrayed in history," said the legislator from Uttar Pradesh.

His remarks came hours after he threatened to "change" history if people like Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, "who tried to wipe out Hindus", are seen as part of India's culture.

"If such people are still considered a part of (India's) glorious history, I can tell you with full confidence we will change that history," he had said earlier today, referring to the Mughal emperor credited with building the Taj Mahal.

When asked about the Taj Mahal being dropped from a recent list of the state's historical sites, Som had questioned why "people like the man who built it" should be considered part of Indian culture and history.

"Many were sad when the Taj Mahal was removed from the list of historical places. What kind of history? What place's history? Whose history? The history that the man who built the Taj Mahal imprisoned his father? The history that he wanted to wipe out the Hindus from all of Uttar Pradesh and India?" Som had asked.

He had gone on to call Mughal emperors Babur, Akbar and Aurangzeb "traitors."

Som's comments had come under strong criticism from various quarters, including from AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, who had demanded to know if PM Modi will "stop hoisting Tiranga" from the Red Fort, since it was also built by "traitors."

West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee condemned Som's remarks, alleging that the BJP has a "systematic political agenda to finish India's culture and heritage."

(With inputs from ANI)