Archaeological Department’s reply on Taj Mahal: No idols of Hindu gods and goddesses in the cellars, Trinamool Congress leader had sought information from RTI

The Archaeological Department of India (ASI) has denied having idols of Hindu gods and goddesses in the basements of the Taj Mahal. The ASI has given this information in response to an RTI. The ASI also told that the Taj Mahal is not built on the temple land.

In fact, on June 20, Trinamool Congress national spokesperson Saket S Gokhale had filed an RTI. In this, he had sought information from the ASI about two questions. In the first question, he had asked for proof that there was no temple on the land of Taj Mahal. Whereas the second question was related to the presence of idols of Hindu gods and goddesses in 20 rooms of the cellars.

ASI replied in one line
ASI has shown the answer of RTI to Saket S Gokhale’s question in one line. ASI’s Public Relations Officer Mahesh Chand Meena has written only ‘No’ in response to the first question. Another replied, “There is no idol of Hindu gods and goddesses in the cellars.”

Saket S Gokhale had asked two questions in RTI, ASI answered both the questions in one line.

ASI has already denied the claim
People associated with the Hindu organization had earlier also claimed to have idols of Hindu gods and goddesses in the basements of the Taj Mahal. However, the Archaeological Department continues to deny this fact.

The BJP leader had filed a petition in the Lucknow Bench of the High Court regarding the closed rooms of the Taj Mahal. Which was rejected by the court.

Lucknow Bench reprimanded the petition related to Taj Mahal
BJP’s media in-charge in Ayodhya, Dr. Rajneesh Singh had filed a petition in the Lucknow Bench of the High Court on May 7. In this, he had demanded to open 20 of the 22 closed rooms of the Taj Mahal. He had feared that there would be idols of Hindu gods and goddesses in these rooms. He said that by opening these closed rooms, its secret should be revealed to the world.

The High Court heard the petition on 12 May. The court dismissed the petition. Justice DK Upadhyay said, “The petitioner should not misuse the PIL system. First go to university, do PhD, then come to court.” The court also said, “If anyone stops you from doing research, then come to us.”

Read: On the petition related to Taj Mahal, the High Court said – do not misuse PIL, do PhD first, then come to court