Azam Khan, a former Uttar Pradesh Minister and a sitting MLA of Samajwadi Party, has said that if Taj Mahal is a symbol of slavery, the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Parliament should also be demolished as they also symbolize the same.

UP BJP MLA Sangeet Som had earlier gone on record stating that Taj Mahal was a symbol of ‘slavery’ as it had been built by the Moghuls who not only ruled India brutally and looted its properties but also erected several historical monuments including the world-renowned Taj Mahal.

Taking Som on, Khan said that he was in agreement with the former’s opinion in removing all symbols of slavery in the country. “Going by his logic, which I had also reiterated, we should also demolishing structures of Rashtrapati Bhawan, Red Fort, the Parliament building, etc. as they were not ‘Indian’ in nature!”  It wasn’t known immediately whether Khan was serious or made an off-the-cuff remark.

Som had also said that Taj Mahal wasn’t a symbol of any greatness. “The King who built the Taj had killed his father in ascending the throne; Indian history books in school curriculum would do well without the history of such persons. I’m sure the history (books) would change soon for the better as students want only the tales of Lord Ram and Shivaji, The Warrior,” he said.