BJP leader wants Taj Mahal to be renamed as ‘Ram Mahal’

Taj Mahal will soon be renamed as Ram Mahal — if one is to go by the whims and fancies of one of the little-known politicos of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The MLA from Bairia constituency in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, Surendra Singh claimed this was among his agendas.

Speaking to reporters on 13 March, Singh said the Agra’s Taj Mahal used to be a temple of Lord Shiva, furthering the contention of PN Oak for which the conspiracy theorist had been rebuked by the Supreme Court that had told him, “There is a bee in your bonnet.”

In August 2017, Archaeological Survey of India stated there was no evidence to suggest the monument ever housed a temple.

Taj Mahal used to be a Shiva temple, and it will soon be renamed to Ram Mahal in the Yogi administration, said Singh.

Singh further hailed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as a descendant of Shivaji.

“Shivaji’s descendants have arrived in the land of Uttar Pradesh. Just as Samarth Guru Ramdas gave Shivaji to India, similarly Gorakhnath ji has given Yogi Adityanath to Uttar Pradesh,” said Singh.

The BJP MLA strongly condemned the alleged assault on journalists in Moradabad. 

An FIR was filed against Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and 20 other party workers on 13 March for allegedly attacking the journalists which led to grievous injuries to a few of them.

Singh said that the incident showed the true character of Samajwadis, who use sticks on journalists. “But this will not be tolerated under Yogi Ji’s rule,” Singh said.

The MLA said that no preference would be given to people with an “anti-national mindset”. “Only those who speak the glory of India and Indianness will become leaders,” he said.

The BJP leader, known for his bold remarks, is not new to stoking controversies.

Last year, in the aftermath of the brutal gang-rape of a teenage girl in Hathras, he had said that rapes could be stopped if girls are taught ‘sanskaar’.

The MLA’s suggestions for rechristening of monuments did not stop with the Taj Mahal. He further said that the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata should also be renamed, suggesting it be called ‘Janaki Palace’.

Surendra Narayan Singh has been a member of the 17th Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh. Since 2017, he has represented the Rohaniya constituency and is a member of the BJP.