Ban Friday namaz at Taj Mahal: RSS

The history wing of Indian Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-Akhil Bhartiya Itihaas Sankalan Samiti has demanded that Friday prayers at Taj Mahal should be banned.

RSS affiliate body's National Organisation Secretary Dr Balmukund Pandey in an exclusive conversation with India Today TV said, "Taj is a national heritage- why allow Muslims to use it as a religious site? Permission to perform namaz at Agra's Taj Mahal should be withdrawn."

Adding more fuel to the fire, Dr Pandey also demanded that if namaz is allowed then permission to perform Shiva prayers be also granted to the Hindus.

Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays to facilitate the prayers. 

Just a couple of days ago, members of a right wing organisation- Hindu Yuva Vahini were forcibly taken away by security personnel for attempting to recite 'Shiv Chalisaa' (Hymn to Lord Shiva) inside Taj premises. The workers were demanding rights to perform prayers claiming Taj was a Shiva Temple before it was converted into a mausoleum. 

"There is ample evidence that Taj Mahal was a Shiva Temple constructed by a Hindu King, Taj is not a symbol of love, Emperor Shahjahan married within four months of his queen Mumtaz Mahal'a demise," claims Dr Pandey. "We are collecting evidence and will soon detail every aspect of it," he added.

"Our organisation is compiling a list all such monuments which were demolished by the Muslim rulers to construct mausoleums or other buildings," he further added.

Akhil Bhartiya Itihaas Sankalan Samiti is the history wing of RSS with stated objective of writing, or rewriting Indian history from a national perspective. 

DIALOGUE TO RESOLVE CONFLICT
Meanwhile the imam at the heritage sight said that Shiva prayers should not be performed there adding that peace can happen through dialogue.

"The mosque is built next to Taj Mahal and namaz is performed there. Shiv chalisa should not be recited near the grave. The entire controversy is uncalled for and can be solved through dialogue," said Ali. 

Source: India Today