Date:04/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/04/stories/2009010455220900.htm

National

Rajnath calls up Prachanda

Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party chief Rajnath Singh on Saturday conveyed to Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and President Ram Baran Yadav his party’s concern over the replacement of Indian priests at the Pashupatinath temple.

Mr. Singh told journalists here that the two leaders had assured him that they would look into the issue and take steps to resolve the problem.

He had conveyed to them telephonically the concern in India as Pashupatinath is a holy shrine visited by thousands of Indian, Nepalese and other devotees every year. For three centuries, Indian priests led the prayers at this temple.

“The removal of Indian priests was not only in complete defiance of the order of the Nepal Supreme Court but also hurt the sentiments of the people in India,” he said.

By removing the Indian priests “the Maoist forces have not only dealt a body blow to the centuries-old tradition of the temple but also tried to undermine the inherent India-Nepalese cultural ties,” Mr. Singh said.