BJP leader and Union minister Anant Kumar Hegde on Sunday said Taj Mahal was not built by Muslims, it was a Shiv Mandir built by King Paramatheertha.

Anant Kumar Hegde said, "It's a Shiv Mandir that was built by King Paramatheertha, which was known as Tejo Mahalaya. Tejo Mahalaya became Taj Mahal. If we keep sleeping like this, most of our houses will also be renamed as masjids. In future, Lord Ram will be called Jahapana and Sita will become Bibi."

He added, "Taj Mahal was not built by Muslims. Shah Jahan in his autobiography has said he bought this palace from King Jayasimha."