US ambassador to India, Eric Michael Garcetti, faced a serious security breach during his visit to Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, as he was accompanied by an unlicensed guide. The guide, identified as Shadab, was seen escorting the envoy and his family in a purported video recorded by a licensed guide. The incident has raised concerns about VVIP security and the presence of unauthorized guides at ASI-protected monuments.
The incident took place two days ago during Garcetti’s visit to Agra with his family. Despite the presence of police personnel accompanying the guests, Shadab, a local resident, was able to accompany the ambassador and his family during their visit to Fatehpur Sikri.
Rajkumar Patel, the superintending archaeologist, confirmed the incident and stated that they had received information about an unauthorized tourist guide taking VVIPs around the monument. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of the police to take action against such unauthorized guides and that the matter will be investigated in detail.
The incident has also highlighted the prevalence of unauthorized guides, commonly referred to as ‘lapka’ in the local parlance, at the parking lots of the monument’s East and West Gates in Agra and at Fatehpur Sikri. It is worth noting that only licensed guides are allowed to operate in the Taj complex and other ASI-protected monuments, and the presence of unauthorized guides poses a security risk.
The presence of unauthorized guides at ASI-protected monuments raises concerns about the security of VVIPs and tourists. It is essential for the authorities to address this issue and ensure that only licensed guides are allowed to operate at these sites to prevent any security breaches.
The incident involving the US ambassador has underscored the need for stringent measures to regulate the activities of tour guides and ensure the safety and security of visitors at historic monuments in India. The authorities must take appropriate action to prevent the presence of unauthorized guides and uphold the security protocols at ASI-protected sites.
