Taj Mahal is a world class monument.

It is very imp for us, especially from tourism perspective it is our priority to provide facilities & safety to tou… https://t.co/5ArDUd8msO — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) 1508225153000

Taj Mahal+

Taj Mahal controversy: UP CM Yogi in damage control mode

NEW DELHI: A day after one of his party's legislators said the Taj Mahal doesn't represent Indian culture, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath waded into the controversy today, saying that the Mughal monument is decidedly Indian."It does not matter who built it (Taj Mahal) and for what reason; it was built by blood and sweat of Indian labourers," said Adityanath, in what could be seen as a reprimand of UP BJP legislator Sangeet Som Adityanath also said that he plans to be in Agra on October 26, when he will visit the Taj Mahal and other monuments in the city. The state tourism authority's Awanish Awasthi told reporters that projects worth approximately Rs 175 crores have been sanctioned for Agra.It is a sought after tourist destination in India and it is the responsibility of the UP government to provide quality services to the visitors. For this, we have have made a plan worth Rs 370 crore. In would be personally visiting the Taj on October 26 to oversee progress of various scheme and projects."Yesterday, Som stirred a huge controversy when he spoke yesterday about Mughal emperors in general - "they were traitors"- and the Taj Mahal in particular.Som said that if people like Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, "who tried to wipe out Hindus", are seen as part of India's heritage and history then "we will change that history".Touching on the recent dropping of the Taj Mahal from a State list of Uttar Pradesh's historical sites, Som wondered why "people like the man who built it" should be considered part of Indian culture and heritage."Many were sad when the Taj Mahal was removed from the list of historical places. What kind of history? What place's history? Whose history? The history that the man who built the Taj Mahal imprisoned his father? The history that he wanted to wipe out the Hindus from all of Uttar Pradesh and India?" asked Som.Several opposition politicians, including an SP spokeswoman, slammed Som for his remarks.The AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi had a stinging response for the BJP MLA - "Traitors also built the Red Fort, will Modi stop hoisting Tiranga (tricolour) (from there)"?National Conference leader Omar Abdullah wondered if people looked forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the nation on Independence Day from New Delhi's Nehru Stadium instead of from the ramparts of the Red Fort.An SP spokeswoman said the Taj must not be dragged into any controversies.Earlier this month, an Uttar Pradesh government booklet to promote tourist spots in the state omitted thefrom its list of the State's historical sites. The UNESCO 'World Heritage Site'' is visited by more than 60 lakh tourists - mostly from abroad - every year.After facing criticism for the omission, UP's tourism minister Rita Bahuguna said that the Taj Mahal is still the government's priority."Taj Mahal is our cultural heritage and priority," said Bahuguna.