The students were stopped by guards who allegedly commented that they "resembled foreigners."
A group of students from Manipur were allegedly denied entry into the Taj Mahal and asked to produce proof of their nationality, reports the
Indian Express. It was only after police intervention that the students were allowed entry. Now the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has ordered an inquiry after the students filed a written complaint alleging discrimination.
The students, who are from the Central Agricultural University in Imphal, went to the monument on Sunday as part of an all-India educational tour. However, they were stopped by guards who allegedly commented that they "resembled foreigners", reports the
Indian Express.
The Taj Mahal offers entry tickets at different prices - Rs 1,000 for foreign visitors and Rs 40 for Indians. The Central Industrial Service Force (CISF) guards believed the students were only posing as Indian nationals to gain entry on cheaper tickets. The students even showed them their ID cards and a letter stating that they were on an all-India tour, but it didn't work.
Some students were later allowed to enter but only after they produced their Aadhar Cards. The remaining made it inside the monument only after the police intervened.
"The students alleged that CISF personnel misbehaved with them and that they were asked to show their nationality proof. They then called the tourism police, who reached the spot and intervened to allow the students to enter," RP Pandey, a police officer told the
Indian Express.
The Archaeological Survey of India has ordered an inquiry and security staff has been asked to provide CCTV footage as well.
Social media has expressed outrage over the incident.