A Hindu activist’s attempt to “purify” the Taj Mahal with cow dung and water from the Ganges (Ganga Jal) was thwarted by security personnel at the monument’s entrance. The activist, who is part of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, argued that the monument, often claimed to be a Hindu temple, needed cleansing after a video went viral showing a tourist urinating on the premises.
The incident, documented by IANS, followed this viral video and was part of a larger controversy over the Taj Mahal’s religious significance. The activist, Gopal Chahar, expressed his intention to challenge the authorities in court after being stopped.
This is not an isolated incident. Claims that the Taj Mahal is a Hindu temple have surfaced before. For instance, a person poured Ganga Jal on a tomb within the monument last month. In 2019, Meena Diwakar made headlines for offering Kanwar and performing Shiva Aarti at the Taj Mahal, leading to six legal cases against her for similar actions.