India
‘Funnily enough, they want to take over Waqf monuments’: Owaisi slams ASI over Taj Mahal water leak | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Following reports of water leakage From the main dome of the Taj Mahal, Asaduddin Owaisi struck the Archaeological research of India (ASI) due to the inability to adequately maintain and protect the World Heritage monument.
“This is like failing a 10th grade exam and then going for a PhD!” Owaisi said of ASI’s argument for taking over Waqf properties.
“Archaeological Survey of India makes hundreds of crores from the Taj Mahal, but this is how it treats one of the greatest symbols of Indian culture. Funnily enough, the same ASI claims that Waqf monuments must be adopted so that it can sustain them. This is like failing a 10th class exam and applying for a PhD!, wrote the leader of the All India Majlis Ittihadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
A senior ASI official told TOI on Saturday, “The survey of the main dome was carried out using a drone. Rust was observed at the base of the crowning. This rust formation could have led to development of cracks in the stone, causing water leakage. Repair work on this crack will now be carried out to prevent future water leakage. Damp was observed in the main tombs, indicating the possibility of a fine crack in the stones of the dome.”
Rajkumar Patel, Superintending Chief of ASI Agra Circle, attributed the leak to the incessant rains in Agra and dismissed concerns about structural damage to the main roof. “Yes, we saw the leak in the main dome. When we checked, it was found to be seepage and there was no damage to the main dome,” Patel told news agency PTI.
The 20-second video, which shows rainwater seeping through the iconic ivory-white marble of the main dome after heavy rainfall, has been circulating on social media since Thursday.
“This is like failing a 10th grade exam and then going for a PhD!” Owaisi said of ASI’s argument for taking over Waqf properties.
“Archaeological Survey of India makes hundreds of crores from the Taj Mahal, but this is how it treats one of the greatest symbols of Indian culture. Funnily enough, the same ASI claims that Waqf monuments must be adopted so that it can sustain them. This is like failing a 10th class exam and applying for a PhD!, wrote the leader of the All India Majlis Ittihadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
A senior ASI official told TOI on Saturday, “The survey of the main dome was carried out using a drone. Rust was observed at the base of the crowning. This rust formation could have led to development of cracks in the stone, causing water leakage. Repair work on this crack will now be carried out to prevent future water leakage. Damp was observed in the main tombs, indicating the possibility of a fine crack in the stones of the dome.”
Rajkumar Patel, Superintending Chief of ASI Agra Circle, attributed the leak to the incessant rains in Agra and dismissed concerns about structural damage to the main roof. “Yes, we saw the leak in the main dome. When we checked, it was found to be seepage and there was no damage to the main dome,” Patel told news agency PTI.
The 20-second video, which shows rainwater seeping through the iconic ivory-white marble of the main dome after heavy rainfall, has been circulating on social media since Thursday.
