Taj Mahal, the world renowned 17th century monument (Agence France-Presse)
"Who does the Taj Mahal belong to?" - an MP on Monday raised this question in Parliament on the legendary 17th century monument that has been dragged into controversial statements by politicians across parties.
Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM asked the question in the Lok Sabha when union culture minister Mahesh Sharma was responding to a question on museums. Mr Owaisi asked the question twice but was ignored by the minister, who continued to answer other questions.
On Sunday, the minister's party colleague in Uttar Pradesh had been less than circumspect and claimed that the world-renowned Taj Mahal was part of an ancient temple.
Lakshmikant Bajpai, the chief of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, told reporters that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had bought a part of "Tejo Mahalaya" temple land from one Raja Jai Singh and claimed that there are documents to prove it.
Mr Bajpai also alleged that Azam Khan, Uttar Pradesh Minister and Samajwadi Party leader, was trying to stake claim to the iconic monument.
"Azam's dream to offer namaz five times at the Taj will never be fulfilled," he said.
Mr Khan had said in November that the monument should be declared a property of the Waqf Board, which has jurisdiction over Muslim tombs and graves.
Mr Khan, who is Waqf minister, had also said that revenue from the Taj Mahal should be used for the education of Muslims.