Agra: Taj Mahal's west gate vandalised for blocking way to temple

As per reports, the action was taken by the activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Image: AFP

 New Delhi:  In a shocking  incident that has come to light recently, the western entrance of cultural heritage of India, Taj Mahal was vandalised by activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) earlier this week eliciting strong criticism, reports said. The activists started hammering  the gate on June 10, as it was creating an obstacle in the passage to a temple. A part of turnstile that was being installed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was allegedly removed and slogans against the ASI were raised. As per the reports, VHP cited that the gate was blocking the entrance to 400 year old Shiv Mandir. In an report by ANI , Bharatiya Janata Party  (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy was quoted criticising the action. He said “nobody can take law into their own hands”. The authorities tried to reason with the right wing activists stating that ASI is installing a secure access for tourists from the western entrance to see the Taj and a substitute path has been opened to Shiv temple that goes from behind Taj Mahal. The police have lodged a complaint against the 30 VHP activists allegedly involved in the act of vandalism.