A tourist from West Bengal was prevented from performing 'namaz' in the premises of Taj Mahal and was released by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel after he submitted a written apology, IANS reported. The incident took place on Thursday.
The tourist had unfurled his prayer mat and was preparing for 'namaz' when CISF personnel on duty intervened and took him away, police said.
"A video surfaced on Thursday and upon verification, it was confirmed that a tourist from West Bengal had unfurled his prayer mat in the Taj Mahal garden, preparing for 'namaz'," IANS quoted senior conservation assistant for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Prince Vajpayee as saying.
The tourist said he was unaware of the ban on offering 'namaz' at the Taj Mahal. Vajpayee said the tourist complied with the guidelines after being informed and clarfied that 'namaz' was not performed.
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"The tourist was escorted to the control room, where he expressed ignorance about the prohibition on offering 'namaz' at the Taj Mahal. Subsequently, he submitted a written apology and was allowed to proceed with his visit," he further said.
As per ASI rules, offering 'namaz' is not allowed at the mosque except Friday as per the order of the Supreme Court. Only local people can offer namaz inside the Taj Mahal premises on Fridays after permission of the authorities.
The Supreme Court had passed the verdict in order to preserve the monument. The court had said Taj Mahal was one of the seven wonders of the world and hence no namaz should be offered there.
Previously, several such incidents have also been prevented by police. In 2022, four people were arrested for offering namaz in the Taj Mahal garden. The accused were booked under Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code.