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VOL. 28, NO. 18, Jan 09, 2009 (Paush 25 2065 B.S.)
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Unnecessary Controversy
The government rakes up unnecessary controversy by triggering tension over temple appointments
By A CORRESPONDENT
From former King Gyanendra to the main opposition of India, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), there have been cries of protests over the way the government has meddled into the affairs of Pashupatinath temple.
Former King Gyanendra has expressed concern over the recent episode of controversy surrounding Pashupatinath temple. He has appealed to all concerned to put Pashupatinath beyond politics. He also called on all to ensure that regular Puja and religious activities in Pashupatinath continues unhindered. He expressed his concern during a meeting with a group of journalists.
His reaction has come in the wake of the controversy over the appointment of chief priest and priest at the temple by Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) by replacing the Indian priests. The assistant priests or Bhandaris have opposed the government's method of appointing priests at the temple.
On the other hand, the main opposition party of India, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly opposed the replacement of Indian priests from Pashupatinath temple. In a press release issued on Saturday (Jan 3), the BJP President Rajnath Singh has expressed concern over the "forced replacement of Indian priests by the Maoists to install their own appointed priests."
"The BJP President had a telephonic conversation with the Nepal President Shri Ram Baran Yadav and the Prime Minster, Shri Prachanda and sought immediate intervention to resolve the ongoing crisis. They assured him that they will look into this matter and take necessary steps," the release adds.
Highlighting the significance of Pashupatinath Mandir in the Indian subcontinent the BJP President said, "The Pashupatinath Mandir is a holy shrine visited by thousands of devotees every year from India, Nepal and other countries of the world. The Indian priests have led prayers at the historic Pashupatinath Mandir for the past three centuries and this tradition signifies the cultural bonds shared by India and Nepal. The ongoing crisis has resulted into an unprecedented situation at the temple and even the regular prayer was disrupted due to it."
Referring to the order of Supreme Court, Singh said, "The removal of Indian priests from the Pashupatinath Mandir is not only in complete defiance of the Supreme Court order but it has also hurt the sentiments of people in India."
"By removing the Indian priests the Maoist forces have not only dealt a body blow to the centuries old traditions of the temple but also trying to undermine the inherent Indo-Nepalese cultural ties", he added.
Earlier, the visiting leaders of India's Samajbadi Party (SP), had also cautioned that the temple row had sent very bad signal.
"There are some issues that are related with Byabastha (governance) and some issues that are related with Aastha (faith). They should be kept separate," said SP general secretary Amar Singh, who expressed regret at the inability to visit Pashupatinath temple due to the row.
Last week, the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday (Jan 1) had issued interim order not to let the newly appointed priests of the Pashupatinath Temple offer ritual prayers. A writ petition demanding the prohibition on the new priests was filed at the SC after the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) on Sunday accepted the resignations of three Indian priests including the head and appointed Nepali priests Bishnu Prasad Dahal and Salikram Dhakal.
A bench of Justice Balaram KC decided not to order the new priests to worship until the final decision is taken on the writ.
