Kathmandu, Jan 05: Nepalese Prime Minister
Prachanda has assured top Indian leaders today that the Maoist
led government will honour the verdict of the country's
Supreme Court and allow Indian priest to "perform their duty"
at the Pashupatinath Temple.
Prachanda gave this assurance when Samajwadi leader
and former UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav met him here
and expressed concern over sacking of the Indian priests. They
also discussed other latest political developments and
bilateral issues concerning both the nations.
"Prime Minister Prachanda has assured me that his
government will honour the verdict of the Supreme Court and
allow the Indian Priests to perform their duty," Yadav told
journalists after the meeting.
Yadav said that he has suggested to Prachanda not to get
into any controversy in the matters of religion and faith of
the people.
"We have also come here to visit the Pashupatinath
temple, which we could not fulfill due to the dispute in the
temple and it is very sad experience," he said.
A row had erupted in Nepal after the Maoist government
had forced the three Indian priests, including chief Priest
to resign and appointed two Nepalese priests to replace them
sparking widespread agitation.
"Nepalese leadership have high expectation from India
for their development and wellbeing," Mulayam said. They want
special attention from government of India towards Nepal's
development efforts, he pointed out.
"I will take this message to the Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi," he said.
India wishes that democracy be strengthened in Nepal and all
the Nepalese people get the feeling democracy, he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, January 05, 2009, 00:00