The Hindu : National : Keep Pashupatinath temple above politics: former king

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Keep Pashupatinath temple above politics: former king

Prerana Marasini

KATHMANDU: The former king of Nepal, Gyanendra Shah, is reported to have raised concern over the recent appointment of two Nepali priests at the Pashupatinath temple.

Local news channels said the king appealed to all to keep the temple out of controversies and above politics. He also requested for normalising the situation to allow the regular rituals with ease.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s order was defied for the third time on Saturday, with the new priests performing the rituals. However, the regular worship has been halted since Tuesday as local ‘Bhandaris’ who assist the priests in carrying out the ‘rituals’ are protesting against the government’s decision.

On Thursday, the court issued a stay order to the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) not to allow the new priests to perform rituals. Instead, it had asked the PADT to allow the performing of ‘puja’ by the Indian priests, whose resignations had been accepted recently.

On Friday, PADT director told The Hindu that they had not received anything in writing, because of which they allowed the new priests. But lawyers say PADT’s defiance means disregard to the court’s order.

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