Taj Mahal priceless gem: Yogi

Tribune News Service

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Lucknow, October 26

Attempting to put to rest the controversies around the Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today reiterated that the monument was a priceless gem and everyone should be committed to its preservation and protection.

During the first-ever visit by any BJP Chief Minister to the monument, Yogi took up the broom to clean the parking lot at the western gate before he entered the monument along with Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma, Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguan Joshi, local MLAs and officials. He spent around 30 minutes inside the monument.

Addressing a public gathering at the GIC grounds, Yogi said without bothering about who or why the Taj Mahal was built one should remember that it was built “by the blood and sweat” of India’s sons and labourers.

He also pointed out that the monument had firmly established India on the international tourist map and it was the duty of every one to preserve and protect this national heritage.

Without naming anyone, he took a dig at the previous Akhilesh government charging that the people who indulged in politics of caste, family and corruption could not digest his visit to the Taj Mahal. He also announced a bouquet of Rs 350 crore worth of projects to improve infrastructure in Agra so as to promote tourism.

Speaking to the media, Akhilesh alleged Yogi did not consider Taj Mahal a part of Indian heritage till recently and that he had decided to visit it under pressure from the Centre Government.