Two Hindu Mahasabha workers have been detained by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for allegedly attempting to offer Gangajal at the monument's tomb at the Taj Mahal in Agra.
The suspects, identified as Vinesh and Shyam, were apprehended after they were caught on video pouring what appeared to be Ganga water from a Bisleri bottle onto the tomb. The footage, which has circulated widely on social media, shows the act being carried out without immediate intervention from security personnel present at the site.
The Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of India's most iconic landmarks, is under the stringent security of the CISF. Their duties include checking bags, managing crowds, and ensuring the overall safety of the monument. Despite these measures, the incident highlights challenges in maintaining security and managing access within such a high-profile location.
On the same day, Meera Rathore, district president of the All India Hindu Mahasabha Women’s Front, attempted to bring Gangajal into the Taj Mahal for a religious offering. She was stopped by police at the western gate after creating a disturbance at the security barrier. Rathore claimed that the Taj Mahal, often referred to as Tejo Mahalaya by some groups, is a Shiva temple and insisted on making her religious offering.
This episode follows a similar incident in 2019 when Meena Diwakar faced legal repercussions for attempting to perform a religious ritual at the Taj Mahal. Both cases underscore ongoing tensions surrounding the monument's cultural and religious significance.