DUBAI: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) stated in court last week that the Taj Mahal is a tomb and not a temple, in its first such statement after six lawyers filed a suit claiming the site is a Hindu temple in 2015.
In April 2015, six lawyers filed a suit with the Agra district court claiming the Taj Mahal is a temple in honor of a Hindu deity and added that Hindu devotees should be allowed to worship inside the building.
The court called on the central government, Union ministry of culture, home secretary and ASI to file their replies, the latest of which was filed Thursday by the ASI.
In November 2015, the Union ministry of culture clarified that there is no evidence of any temple within the grounds of the Taj Mahal during a session of the lower house of India’s bicameral Parliament, the Lok Sabha.
On Thursday, the ASI made its own statement.
“Historically and even according to records as available there is an ancient monument named as Taj Mahal alone at the bank of river Yamuna at Agra duly declared by the government to be of national importance having gained the worldwide recognition as the 7th wonder of the world. As per available records right from the British period since 1904, the monument Taj was declared a protected monument by notification on December 22, 1920,” the ASI stated in its affidavit on Thursday.
The body also challenged the jurisdiction of the local court to “hear and decide” the case, according to the Times of India newspaper.
The newspaper reported that “the archaeological body categorically denied that no such temple or Shiv Linga, as stated by the plaintiffs, existed in the Taj Mahal.”
The ASI further stated that the claims of the six lawyers were a “concoction” of their imaginations, according to the newspaper’s report.
Taj Mahal a tomb, not a Hindu temple, Archaeological Survey of India tells court
Taj Mahal a tomb, not a Hindu temple, Archaeological Survey of India tells court
Harry Styles announces first album in 4 years, ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’
- It follows the critically acclaimed synth pop “Harry’s House,” which earned the former One Direction star album of the year at the 2023 Grammy Awards
- “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” will contain 12 tracks and is executive produced by Kid Harpoon
NEW YORK: In this world, it’s just him: Harry Styles has announced that his long-awaited, fourth studio album will arrive this spring.
Titled “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” and out March 6, the album is Styles’ first full-length project in four years. It follows the 2022, critically acclaimed synth pop record “Harry’s House,” which earned the former One Direction star the top prize of album of the year at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
In a review, The Associated Press celebrated “Harry’s House” for showcasing “a breadth of style that matches the album’s emotional range.”
On Instagram, Styles’ shared the cover artwork for “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally,” which features the 31-year-old artist in a T-shirt and jeans at night, standing underneath a shimmering disco ball hung outside.
According to a press release, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” will contain 12 tracks and is executive produced by Kid Harpoon. The British songwriter and producer has been a close collaborator of Styles’ since the beginning of his solo career, working on all of his albums since the singer’s 2017 self-titled debut.
“Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” is now available for preorder.
It is also Styles’ first project since his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne died in 2024 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.
