Hindu groups protest priest`s b`day event invitation to Muslim clerics

Ghaziabad: Invitation to some Muslim clerics for birthday celebrations of a Hindu priest has kicked off a row with Hindu groups protesting the move while the oganisers of the programme denied extending any such invitation.

Members of Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and Hindu Yuva Vahini protested at the collectorate here and their representatives handed over a memorandum to the district magistrate alleging that an invitaion was extended to Muslim clerics to join the birthday celebrations of Shri Kalki Peethadheeshwar Acharya Pramod Krishnam at Dudheshwar Nath Temple on January 4.

They alleged that it was a politically-motivated programme and would hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Organiser of the event B K Sharma, however, said no invitation was sent to any Muslim religious leader and only politicians and social dignitaries would attend it.

When contacted, Acharya Pramod Krishnam said the temple belonged to everyone and "no permission is required for organising any function at its premises".

District Magistrate Vimal Kumar Sharma said Additional District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police have been directed to monitor the situation.