PASUPATHINATH TEMPLE
The Bharatiya Janata Party has joined ousted King Gyanendra of Nepal in protesting against the appointment of two Nepali priests at the Pasupathinath temple in Kathmandu.
Priests from India have been performing rituals at the temple for about three centuries.
The Maoist-led government's decision to appoint two Nepali priests was challenmged in the Supreme Court, which immediately granted a temporary stay.
On Thursday members of the youth wing of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) provided protection to the newly appointed Nepali priests as they entered the temple to assume charge.
BJP president Rajnath Singh is reported to have conveyed his displeasure to Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamnal Dahal in a telephone talk.
