Azam Khan says will support UP govt if it demolishes Taj Mahal; calls Red Fort, Qutub Minar signs of slavery

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan is known to not mince his words before speaking and the senior SP leader has yet again landed himself in a hot water with a shocking remark. 

Taking a jibe at Yogi Adityanath, Azam Khan said that if the Uttar Pradesh government takes a decision to demolish the Taj Mahal, he will support the initiative. 

He added that the issue was raised a few decades ago. 

Khan further that monuments like Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Parliament, Qutub Minar are signs of slavery. And hence, he supports the measures taken by the Uttar Pradesh government. 

The reactions from the controversial leader came hours after a brochure was released by Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguna.

The UP Tourism Department released a 32-page booklet titled 'Uttar Pradesh Paryatan – Apaar Sambhavnaayein' that featured most of the cultural and heritage sites in the state. However, it had no mention of Taj Mahal, one of the seven 'wonders of the world'.

The booklet, released by state Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguna, has the cover of the Ganga aarti in Varanasi with a picture of CM Adityanath and Bahuguna lighting a traditional lamp on the inside.

Responding to Azam's jibe, Bahuguna said, "Taj Mahal is a world heritage and a major tourist attraction. We had allotted 156 crore for betterment of facilities around it."

Earlier, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had also attacked the Uttar Pradesh government 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 tweeted while reacting to the development.

"Sooraj ko deepak na dikhane se uski chamak nahi ghatti! Aise hi raaj ke liye Bhartendu ne likha thha: 'Andher nagri, chaupat raja'', the Gandhi scion posted on Twitter today.