Hindu group condemn Varanasi attacks

The Hindu Forum of Britain, UK's umbrella organisation for British Hindus, also informed the details about the incident through its web site.

The Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB), UK's representative umbrella organisation for British Hindus, condemned the bomb blasts in the holy city of Varanasi.

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It also informed the details about the deplorable incident through its web site. "Blasts were reported in at least three locations in the northeast Indian city: at the Sankat Mochan temple, where Hindus were gathered for devotions; inside a train that had stopped at the city's main train station; and near a ticket counter inside the station."

"It is most unfortunate that terrorism has reared its head once again in an attempt to divide the communities in India," commented Ramesh Kallidai, secretary general of the HFB. "The fact that they have targeted one of Hinduism's most sacred cities seems to suggest they want to exploit communal tensions. Many British Hindus are deeply concerned about the developments in India and hope that people from all communities will remain united in defeating the terrorist agenda."

"It is important to allow the law to take its stance and for people not to react to this madness," said Arjan Vekaria, chair of the security committee of the HFB. "We appeal to people of all communities to continuing maintaining peace and friendship."

HFB recalled, "Sectarian tensions have risen in the region recently, with three people dying in communal riots in the nearby city of Lucknow on March 3. The strife was apparently triggered when armed Muslims tried to force Hindu merchants to shut their shops to protest against US President George W Bush's visit to Pakistan."