Source: www.ddinews.gov.in
INDIA, September 6, 2009: India has said it has taken up with Nepal the Pashupatinath temple incident in which two Indian priests were assaulted on Friday by dozens of Maoists who stormed the temple protesting their recent appointment.
“We are in touch with the Government of Nepal,” External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna told reporters at Bangalore on Saturday on being asked about the incident.
Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood has taken up the matter in Kathmandu with Nepal Home Minister Bhim Bahadur Rawal and Culture Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari who assured him that steps will be taken to ensure safety of the priests.
The minister said India was aware that “there is Maoist pressure on the temple authorities to prevent the Indian priests from conducting religious ceremonies.” In this regard, he pointed out that priests from Nepal also perform puja in Kashi temple.