Bajrang Dal agitates over removal of Indian priests from Nepal's Pashupatinath Temple in Agra

Agra, Jan 5 (ANI): Bajrang Dal activists have lodged a strong protest over the Pashupatinath Temple Trust's decision to ban Indian priests from officiating in religious ceremonies in the premises.

On Sunday, activists of the right-wing outfit burnt an effigy symbolising the Maoist Government in Nepal.

The trust sacked the Indian priests on December 28, 2008.

The Bajrang Dal called for the reinstatement of the priests, saying their sacking was an insult to Hindus." Hindu priests have been removed from the Pashupatinath Temple. The Maoists have disrespected Hindus by doing so. We have burnt an effigy as a protest against that," said Shyam Badoria, a Bajrang Dal organiser.

They asserted they would intensify their protest if the priests were not reinstated.

"The Nepal Government will have to change its decision, and the priests who have been traditionally worshipping, should be put back in place," claimed Ramkumar Sharma, a Bajrang Dal leader.

Earlier, Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest in front of the Nepal Embassy in New Delhi.

Hindu organisations in Kathmandu and the Bharatiya Janata Party have also criticised the decision. (ANI)