Bengaluru, January 27: Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde stirred controversy on Sunday by saying that the Taj Mahal was not built by Shah Jahan. While addressing a function organised by the Hindu Jagrana Vedike, at Madapura in Somwarpet taluk of Kodaugu district, Hegde claimed that the famous Taj Mahal was a Shiva temple called Tejo Mahalaya. He also said that Shah Jahan in his autobiography had mentioned that he bought the palace from Raja Jaisimha, and that it was a temple constructed by Raja Paramardi Deva. Ananth Kumar Hegde at it Again: 'Not Here to Do Social Service But to Do Politics'.

The Union Minister further added that if Hindus continued to sleep then even their houses would be renamed as “Masjids” and If this continues in the coming days, Lord Ram would become Jahanpanah and Sita would be called bibi. Hegde also stated, “We have to rethink about priorities of our society. We shouldn’t think of caste. If a Hindu girl is touched by a hand, then that hand should not exist." Tiger Has Become Wild, Should be Sent Back to Forest: Veerappa Moily in Response to Ananth Kumar Hegde's Remark.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao took to Twitter to slam Anant Kumar for the remarks. Rao wrote: @AnantkumarH Wht are ur achievements after becoming a Union Minister or as MP? Wht are ur contributions for Karnataka’s development? All I can say for sure, it’s deplorable that such people have become ministers & have managed to get elected as MP’s (sic). Sabarimala Temple Row: Kerala Govt Has Committed ‘Daylight Rape’ of Hindus, Says Anant Kumar Hegde.

It was not the first time that the Union Minister for skill development landed in controversy. In December last year, he had said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would soon change the Constitution. In the past, Hegde had repeatedly raised objections on celebrating the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 28, 2019 12:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).