— A fresh petition filed in an Agra court seeks to declare the Taj Mahal as Tejo Mahalaya, a Hindu temple, sparking renewed debate over the iconic monument's origins.
The petition, submitted on Wednesday, urges a halt to Islamic activities at the site and calls for practices deemed inappropriate for a place of worship to cease.
Scheduled for a hearing on April 9, the matter was brought to court by Advocate Ajay Pratap Singh, serving as the patron of Shree Bhagwan Shree Tejo Mahadev and as president of Yogeshwar Shree Krishna Janmasthan Sewa Sangh Trust and Kshatriya Shaktipeeth Vikas Trust.
Citing historical texts, the petitioner argues that the structure's history predates its recognition as the Taj Mahal. This filing is the latest in a series of petitions seeking to reclassify the monument as a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.
While some previous petitions have been dismissed, others remain pending, reflecting ongoing contention over the Taj Mahal's historical and religious significance.