Taj Mahal, the seventeenth-century tomb, is once again in the news. Earlier this month, the Allahabad High Court issued notices to the Centre and the Archaeological Survey of India, asking for their response to a plea challenging an Agra trial court order refusing a survey of the Taj Mahal. Following a petition filed by advocate Harishankar Jain contending that the Taj, a UNESCO World Heritage monument, is actually a Tejo Mahalaya, a Bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal passed the order.
Mr. Jain pleaded for a declaration that the Taj Mahal is a Hindu temple and sought permission for Hindus to offer prayers there. The petitioners also sought the appointment of an Advocate Commissioner to inspect the monument and carry out photography and videography.
Published - July 17, 2026 03:17 pm IST