By Muslim Mirror Desk
The Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha has reignited debate by demanding the cancellation of the three-day Urs commemorating Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s death anniversary at the Taj Mahal.
Leaders submitted a memorandum to the Agra administration on Monday, urging an immediate halt to the event scheduled to begin on January 15, 2026.
The Urs, a longstanding Muslim tradition observed for decades, attracts devotees, local residents, and visitors nationwide. During these days, the Taj Mahal offers free entry, drawing large crowds for prayers and rituals, including the offering of a ceremonial chadar at Shah Jahan’s tomb.
The Mahasabha argues that the Taj Mahal, which they claim is originally “Tejomahalaya,” should not host Islamic rituals. A leader stated, “This place is Tejomahalaya. No Urs or Islamic ritual should be allowed here. Only the flag of Bhole Baba should be hoisted.”
They cited RTI responses and court documents alleging no historical permission for the Urs under Mughal or British rule, and referenced a Supreme Court order limiting Friday prayers to local Tajganj residents.
A related petition (case no. 63/2024) is pending in Agra Civil Court (Senior Division), seeking a ban on the Urs, with the next hearing set for January 15. The group warned of intensified protests if their demands are ignored.
Muslim leaders and historians condemned the move as an attempt to erase Muslim heritage and traditions at India’s shared cultural sites. A local cleric from Tajganj described the Urs as integral to the monument’s living history, while residents expressed concerns over growing fears among Muslims amid repeated challenges to Islamic practices.
This is not the first such claim; the “Tejomahalaya” theory has been repeatedly dismissed by experts and courts. The district administration has stayed silent officially but heightened security around the Taj Mahal to ensure law and order during the event.
This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com. Read the full story here.
