New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Thursday criticised the Centre for "failing" to deal properly with the Pashupati Nath temple issue in Nepal, where the Indian priests of the revered shrine were sacked before Prime Minister Prachanda reversed the decision to oust them.

"The UPA government has utterly failed to deal with the Pashupati Nath issue, which is related to the religious sentiments of the millions of Indians," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said addressing a discussion on the issue.

"It is not an isolated issue as mentioned by the Indian Ambassador," he said, adding Maoist government in Nepal has started working under the influence of the Chinese government.

Bowing to intense pressure from Hindu groups and political parties both at home and abroad, Nepal government on Wednesday reversed its decision to replace the Indian priests at the country's most revered temple with the local Brahmins.

The announcement was made by Prachanda during a special address to Parliament telecast live by the state-run television.

Prasad alleged that UPA government has failed to realise the consequences if the religious sentiments of the millions of Hindus are strained.

"The removal of the Hindu priest from the temple is a breach of faith between the two countries and violation of 300-year-long tradition which is very closely related to the Hindus in India," he said.

The former ambassador to Nepal N N Jha said, "the removal of the priest is a very calculated move and a part by the Maoist government to establish single totalitarian state."