NEW DELHI: In a stinging response to recent remarks questioning the Taj Mahal’s place in history by India’s ruling party legislator, a leading politician on Monday asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi would stop hosting foreign dignitaries at the state capital’s iconic Hyderabad House, because that, too, was built by “traitors”.

Earlier, the rightwing Hindu government in Uttar Pradesh removed the Taj Mahal from its official list of tourist destinations for which the state is famous, according to a Times of India report.

The move followed comments from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who said the 17th century marvel in Agra did not represent Indian ethos and was built by “traitors”.

Responding to the controversial remarks, Lok Sabha member Asaduddin Owaisi, tweeted: “Traitors also built Red Fort will Modi stop hoisting Tiranga? Can Modi and Yogi tell domestic and foreign tourist not to visit Taj Mahal?”

The All India Majlis-i-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief, in a series of tweets, also said that the Hyderabad House in Delhi — the state capital’s venue for hosting foreign dignitaries — was built by a “traitor”. “Even Hyderabad House in Delhi was built by traitor will Modi stop hosting Foreign Dignitaries?” he asked on Twitter.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party leader’s remarks about the Taj being a “blot on Indian culture” have sparked shock and rage online.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2017