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Should Taj Mahal be handed over to Waqf board?

November 21, 2014 14:59 IST

Uttar Pradesh Minority Affairs Minister Azam Khan created another controversy when he demanded that Taj Mahal to be handed over to the UP Sunni Waqf Board, which has jurisdiction over Muslim tombs and graves, since the iconic monument has the mausoleum of two Muslims.

Khan, who is also the state waqf minister, also believes that the earnings from the Taj Mahal should go towards helping poor Muslims.

"Wherever there are tombs, they are under the (jurisdiction of the) Central Waqf Board. The Taj Mahal has the tombs of two Muslims; one is Shah Jahan and the other Mumtaz Mahal. If it is in cheap and poor condition, it means it's under the Waqf Board. But if it's an expensive structure, then it belongs to the government of India," Khan said.

What's your take on Azam Khan's views?

Should the Taj Mahal be handed over to Waqf board?