Kathmandu: Days after a vicious Maoist attack
on two Indian priests of the Pashupatinath temple, Nepal's
Supreme Court today sought a response from the government on a
plea challenging their recent appointment.
The apex court issued a notice, asking the government to
furnish a written reply within 15 days to justify their
appointment, court spokesperson Hemanta Rawal said.
The notice was issued in response to a petition filed by
an advocate, Dinesh Thapa, against the appointment of the
priests -- Raghavendra Bhatta and Girish Bhatta.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal recently confirmed the
appointment of the priests to fill the vacancies as per the
recommendation made by the Pashupati Area Development Trust,
which manages the affairs of the 5th century shrine.
On Friday, a group of 40-50 Maoists stormed the temple
and severely thrashed the priests, both 32 and hailing from
Karnataka. Their clothes were also torn and their sacred
thread cut in the attack that was condemned by India as an
"unprovoked and criminal" act.
The Maoist-affiliated Joint Struggle Committee, which is
objecting to the appointment of Indian priests and demanding
induction of locals, withdrew their protest programme within
the temple premises yesterday.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, September 09, 2009, 00:16