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PM vows to implement SC decision on Pashupati

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that he will abide by the interim order delivered by Supreme Court (SC) on Pashupati temple row.

"We will respect the order of the apex court," PM told reporters after emerging out of president's office where he met with President Dr. Rambaran Yadav.

The SC had earlier asked the government to maintain the status quo at the temple and suspend the appointment of new priests.

"The SC has given an order. We are consulting with attorney general to find ways of implementing it. We will definitely follow the order," deputy prime minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam had told reporters.

The government had earlier said they defended their decision to appoint new priests at the temple. However, following fierce criticism from within and outside the country, the government has now decided to stick with the SC order in this issue.

Even the visiting Indian leaders of Samajbadi Party had raised the issue with the PM on Monday. "He has assured that the issue will be resolved as per the order of the court," SP general secretary Amar Singh later said.

PM Dahal also met with former prime minister and president of main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala on Monday where he was told to tread carefully on issues concerning religion and faith.

"He told the PM that the government had unnecessarily created a controversy. He asked the PM to abide by the court decision and become careful in dealing with such matters," NC leader Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat said. nepalnews.com Jan 05 09