New Delhi: President United Muslims Front advocate Shahid Ali submitted a memorandum to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), which is responsible for the safety, security and maintenance of the 17th-century wonder of the world, seeking withdrawal of ban on Namaz in Taj Mahal. He also demanded strict action against some officers who imposed the ban on namaz and talked about offering puja. Advocate Shahid Ali said according to article 16 of the ASI, it is the responsibility of the department to protect the heritage structure. A clause of the article says even if any masjid or Dargah is acquired, its status will not be changed.
Similarly, the masjid was present before the construction of Taj Mahal. It is in the record. Hence namaz has been offered there for centuries which cannot be stopped as per the law of the department.
Mr Shahid said some officers of the department talk of offering puja in the Taj Mahal which clearly shows that they want to create hatred and communal tension between the two religions. Citing the article 153 A of the Indian constitution which says that the punishment of hate mongering in the country is 7 years of imprisonment, Mr Shahid demanded strict action against the officers who talked about offering puja in Taj Mahal and demanded the withdrawal of namaz ban.