Dubai’s ‘Taj Mahal’ triggers Indian protests

[Sugarcane]

Plans to build a mega replica of Taj Mahal in Dubai have prompted angry reaction from heritage groups in India, UAE daily newspaper 7DAYS reported on Tuesday.

The groups that include an ex-Indian mayor, called the Dubai project “wrong and absurd” and said it would “belittle’ the sacredness of the 460-year-old marble masterpiece, the report claimed.

Indian businessman Arun Mehra, who announced the launch of the project last month at the cost of $1 million (AED 3.6 billion), said that the Indian outcry is just out of jealousy.

“They [protesters] are jealous … of course they are. Obviously,” Mehra was quoted as saying by 7DAYS.

“I’ve observed the comments that came out from the ex-mayor of Agra (the home of Taj Mahal) saying tourism is going to drop, but once people come and see ours, they’ll go and see theirs,” he added.

Taj Arabia, which Mehra confirmed will be finished by the end of 2014 and will be four times bigger than the original Taj Mahal, will be primarily a hotel - with the ability to host wedding parties for up to 3,000 guests.

Dubai

 

[somebozo]

Dubai wanting to copy everything..

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

You can build a replica, but can't get the atmosphere.

 

[ManuZ]

Why dont they build something new....
Taj is already thea...constructing the same wont be something to brag about...
I been to dubai....Its fu#@%king unbelievable...Never seen such constructions before...
Its expensive soo beyond the reach of aam admi....Its a bubble...
Busted already is 2008 recession..prices r rock bottom...Still ordinary people cant afford....
Emirates of dubai constitute 20%...the rest commonly know as the slaves of dubai...
The revenue supposedly plans to come from tourism...
Current situation doesn't help it...
Its fu@##ked up....Disaster written all over it...

 

[Skull and Bones]

You can build a replica, but can't the atmosphere.

Nor the historical importance.

 

[Sugarcane]

Why dont they build something new....

Apparently it's an Indian who is copying....

 

[walwal]

Apparently it's an Indian who is copying....

Yes he is.

Dubai boasts and races to have biggest, tallest, largest of all.

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

It's a Hotel not a national heritage, quit yer yapping

 

[genmirajborgza786]

only $1 million to build taj mahal ! damn thats an insult to taj mahal , heck even ambani's house cost like $1 billion yet its nowhere near the taj plus taj mahal is one piece its unique exquisite & original ,one can build as much as replicas one wants but thats all it will be a replica nothing more .

 

[scorpionx]

Let them build anything they want. From Tajmahal to Pyramids anything. What should we bother about?

 

[1ndy]

It will attract more people to see the original one

 

[Spring Onion]

yeh when Taj Mahal was invaded by saffron brigade it was not insult to the monument.

You can build a replica, but can't get the atmosphere.

Even the replica draws protest from Indians

 

[A.Rafay]

Why dont they protest about their indian slaves in dubai living in worst conditions!

 

[KS]

LOL waste money on such things and then go to Al-Nahyan for financial bailouts.

 

[zip]

Silly comments aside, they are making it a news for publicity ..who cares what former mayor of a city says .. Its his personal opinion ..both way its a publicity stunt