Plea Before Allahabad HC Seeking Investigation to Look for Idols Hidden in Taj Mahal

CASE: Dr. Rajneesh Singh v Union of India and Ors

COURT: Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court

Recently, the Allahabad HC was hearing a plea seeking directions from the Archaeological Survey of India ("ASI") to open the doors of 22 rooms of the Taj Mahal so that the alleged controversy related to the “history of Taj Mahal” can be ended.

The petitioner also sought a direction from the government to comprise a committee to look for evidence like idols and inscriptions that are hidden or believed to be hidden inside the Taj Mahal. 

The petitioner, Dr. Rajneesh Singh, who claimed to be the media in charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Ayodhya unit, filed the petition through advocate Rudra Vikram Singh. Advocate Rudra argued that Hindu Groups claim that the Taj Mahal is an old Shiva Temple, known as Tejo Mahalaya, which has been supported by many historians as well. These claims have led to fighting between Hindus and Muslims. 

Advocate Rudra contended that the Taj Mahal was named after the name of Mumtaz Mahal. However, many books have suggested that the name of Shahjahan's wife was Mumtaz-ul-Zamani, not Mumtaz Mahal. 

Advocate Rudra further argued that as per the books of 1212 AD, Raja Paramardi Dev built the Tejo Mahalaya temple palace. The temple was later inherited by Raja Maan Singh and was later managed by Raja Jai Sing. In 1632 it was annexed by Shah Jahan and converted into a memorial for Mumtaz.

Rudra argued that there are 22 rooms in the Taj Mahal that are permanently locked and historians believe that in those rooms lies the temple of Shiva.

The Petitioner lastly protested before the court that the Taj Mahal is an ancient monument, and crores of money is being invested in its preservation. The correct and complete historical facts about the monument should be disclosed.