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Prachanda urged to reinstate priests

— Photo: AFP

The newly-appointed priests Bishnu Prasad Dahal (right) and Saligram Dhakal at the temple.

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), whose decision to appoint Nepali priests replacing the Indians at the Pashupatinath Temple created a row, has been asked to respect the Supreme Court’s order and reinstate the latter.

Mr. Prachanda met President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav on Monday and briefed him on the developments.

After meeting Mr. Yadav, he told reporters: “Supreme Court’s decision will be respected.” He also clarified that the appointments were not a “political intervention”.

The former Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala told Mr. Prachanda that the decision was an “attack on culture” and asked him to reinstate the Indian priests, his daughter Sujata Koirala told reporters. “He told [the] Prime Minister that the government should consult others while taking important decisions.” Another Congress leader Ram Sharan Mahat shared the same view.

Meanwhile, Ganesh Bhatta, one of the Indian priests who resigned on Sunday, said he was deeply saddened by the new appointments.

“The new priests haven’t received their ‘dikshya’ yet,” he told The Hindu, “and the regular puja, [nitya puja] has been halted since Thursday.”

Visiting chairman of the Samajwadi Party Mulayam Singh Yadav and general-secretary Amar Singh also met Mr. Prachanda on Monday and raised concern over the issue.

“A lot of Nepalis’ and Indians’ sentiment is associated with Pashupatinath Temple,” said Mr. Amar Singh. “The Prime Minister has assured [us] of respecting the Court’s decision.” The Indian leaders were here at Dr. Yadav’s invitation.

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