The Taj Mahotsav, an annual jamboree revolving around the Taj Mahal, has become the centre of a new dispute between the BJP and opposition parties.
Opposition groups have criticised plans to open this year's event—which will be held from 18 to 27 February at Shilpgram near the eastern gate of the monument—with a dance and drama event on Lord Ram, rather than highlighting Mughal history as was done in previous editions.
The BJP has claimed that the state government had no direct role in the decision to start with an event on Lord Ram as the festival is organised by local officials. However, as per the event's official website, the festival is organised by the state's tourism department.
The BJP has rebuffed opposition claims of 'saffronising' the event and said it supported the decision to feature an event on Lord Ram.
This is not the first controversy involving the Taj and the BJP. Hardline BJP Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Katiyar had claimed last year that emperor Shah Jahan had built the Taj after destroying a Shiva temple called the Tejo Mahalaya. In a similar statement, Subramanian Swamy had claimed that the land for the monument was forcibly taken away from Hindu rulers by Shah Jahan.
