Chicago – December 12, 2025
“The Taj Story,” a 2025 Bollywood film starring Paresh Rawal, ignites controversy by reviving the debunked myth that the Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple called Tejo Mahalaya, repurposed by Mughals, aligning with Hindutva propaganda.
Film’s Propaganda Tactics
Promotional posters depict the Taj’s dome lifting to reveal Lord Shiva, fueling communal tensions and echoing BJP’s historical revisionism, despite courts rejecting such claims. Critics label it pseudo-history that vilifies Muslim contributions, portraying the Taj as a symbol of “atrocity” rather than Shah Jahan’s tribute to Mumtaz Mahal.
Hindutva’s Baseless Assault
The BJP and Hindutva extremists propagate the debunked “Tejo Mahalaya” theory, falsely claiming the Taj as a Shiva temple usurped by Mughals, a narrative pushed by P.N. Oak since the 1980s. BJP leaders like Vinay Katiyar and Rajneesh Singh have demanded its demolition or redeclaration, echoing Babri Masjid vandalism, while courts and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) repeatedly affirm its Muslim origins with no Hindu evidence.
BJP and Modi’s Shadow
The film mirrors BJP leaders’ rhetoric, like Vinay Katiyar’s calls to demolish the Taj, amplified under Modi’s regime amid textbook revisions erasing Mughal legacy. It bolsters Hindutva’s erasure of India’s 200 million Muslims’ heritage, post-Babri Masjid demolition.
Muslim Backlash
Muslims decry it as cultural assault, deepening alienation as Bollywood peddles hate over ASI-verified facts of the Taj’s Islamic origins. This divisive cinema threatens plural India.
