Will there be no Red Fort speeches on Aug 15, Omar on Taj Mahal remark

Hitting out at ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its leader Sangeet Som’s comment that Taj Mahal is a ‘blot on Indian culture’, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday asked if there will be no Red Fort speeches on August 15. Mr Abdullah, working president of National Conference, took a jibe at the BJP and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the nation from Nehru Stadium on August 15 would fill some hearts with unabashed glee.

“No more Red Fort speeches on 15th August? The PM will address the nation from Nehru Stadium will fill some hearts with unabashed glee,” Mr Abdullah tweeted. He was responding to Mr Som’s comment that Taj Mahal is a ‘blot on Indian culture’ and was built by traitors. Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, was built by the fifth Mughal emperor Shahjahan in the 17th century.

Meanwhile, responding to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s tweet, taking a jibe at the Prime Minister over US warming up to Pakistan, he said, “There is certainly a new edginess to tweets from this handle. The gloves are off.” “Modi ji quick; looks like President Trump needs another hug,” Mr Gandhi had tweeted.