Brahmin Priests Padlock Temples
May 13th, 2009DAILEKH, INDIA, April 29, 2009: Protesting a recent verdict of the district court, brahmin priests in Dailekh have padlocked a dozen temples including Batukbhairav Temple, Ganesh Temple, Narayan Temple and Dheleshwormahadev Temple.
The protested verdict was given April 12, when the court sentenced Dipak Upadhyay for refusing raksha bandhan (the holy thread tied around the wrist on Janaipurnima day) to a dalit local.
Tilak Rijal, district chairman of Hindu Vedic Sanatan Parishad, claimed the priests do not have to perform religious rituals for all the people, but have the right to refuse. At HVSP’s call, Hindu priests in the district have been boycotting religious rituals for the last week as part of their protest.
