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Yogi's minister sparks row, says Taj Mahal rightly kept out of govt's tourism booklet
Kashmir Times. Dated: 10/11/2017 12:00:27 AM
AGRA, Oct 10 (Agencies): Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, a cabinet-ranked minister in the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, has sparked a fresh controversy by saying that Taj Mahal – the iconic monument in Agra – has been rightly kept out of the state government's newly released tourism booklet.
Chaudhary, according to media reports, even suggested that Taj Mahal should instead be replaced with the Guru Gorakhnath Peeth.
Chaudhary is the minister in-charge of religious affairs and culture in the UP government led by Yogi Adityanath.
Stating reasons why Taj Mahal was not included in the UP tourism booklet, the minister said that it was done since the incumbent government is 'rashtravadi' and runs on 'dharma niti'.
Chaudhary, who was speaking at an event by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), said that the Taj Mahal is not a symbol of any religion.
Commenting further on the issue, Chaudhary said the Taj Mahal should be replaced with Gorakhnath peeth as it “represents people’s faith” while the UNESCO heritage site doesn’t represent any religion.
Chaudhary's remarks came days after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for not including the iconic monument of love - Taj Mahal – in a new booklet released to mark the completion of his government's six months in power. "Andher nagri, chaupat raja," the Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had tweeted while reacting to the development.
The reactions from the young Congress leader came shortly after the brochure was released by UP Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguna. While the UP Government booklet included tourist destinations like the temple in Gorakhpur, it had no mention of Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world. The Tourism Department booklet also outlined plans for new attractions like a tour of monuments and locations central to the Ramayana.