Tricolour Hoisted Inside Taj Mahal; CISF and ASI Launch Probe.

All India Hindu Mahasabha Members Hoist Tricolour at Taj Mahal on Republic Day. Chant, ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. Video Goes Viral.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Agra | Jan 26, 2026::  Members of the All India Hindu Mahasabha hoisted the national Tricolour inside the Taj Mahal complex on Republic Day, triggering widespread attention after a video of the act circulated rapidly on social media. The incident took place amid heightened security at the UNESCO World Heritage site, which is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

According to the video, members of the organisation can be seen carrying the national flag, singing the national anthem and raising slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” within the monument’s main area. The footage drew immediate public scrutiny and prompted officials to take note of the breach at one of India’s most closely regulated heritage sites.

Leaders of the Hindu Mahasabha described the act as “historic,” claiming that the national flag had never been hoisted at the Taj Mahal since construction of the monument began in 1632. Nandu Kumar, city secretary of the All India Hindu Mahasabha, said that hoisting the Tricolour at the Taj Mahal was a legitimate expression of patriotism. “When the national flag is hoisted on government offices and buildings, why shouldn’t it be raised at the Taj Mahal? This is the right of every citizen,” he said.

Another leader, Nitish Bhardwaj, said the group chose the Taj Mahal to mark Republic Day as a symbolic gesture. “We wanted to celebrate Republic Day at India’s pride and demonstrate our respect for the nation,” he said, adding that the intention was to honour the Constitution and national unity.

Security at the Taj Mahal is overseen by the CISF, while the ASI regulates activities within the monument complex, including restrictions on demonstrations and unauthorised ceremonies. Officials have not immediately disclosed whether permission was sought or granted for the flag-hoisting, or whether any action would be initiated in connection with the incident.

The development comes days after the Rashtriya Hindu Parishad (Bharat) reportedly demanded that the national flag be hoisted at the main gates of the Taj Mahal. That demand had already sparked debate on social media and among local residents regarding the balance between patriotic expression and heritage conservation norms.

The Taj Mahal, one of India’s most iconic landmarks and a major tourist attraction, is governed by strict rules aimed at preserving its historical and architectural integrity. Any activity beyond routine visitation typically requires prior approval from the ASI.

As the video continues to circulate, the episode has reignited discussions around national symbols, public expression of patriotism, and the regulations governing protected monuments. Authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding the incident before deciding on any further steps.
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_Inputs from News 18 and News Nation.