Nepalese Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on CPN-Maoists for their efforts to capture Pashupatinath Temple, terming it as an affront to Hindu sentiment.
"The CPN-Maoists and its cadre are responsible for this attack...This is against the Hindus and Hindu sentiments", Yadav told CNN-IBN.
Yadav who belongs to Madhesi Peoples Right Forum, a key partner in the ruling coalition said that the Maoists are trying to capture the Hindu Temple and are disrupting the religious activities there.
"This is an anti-religious mob and they are trying to capture the Pashupatinath temple to disturb the religious activities there", he said.
Terming it as an intervention in the religious matters he condemned the Maoists action saying "it is a religious matter and not a political matter".
"We condemn and criticise it", he added.
Meanwhile, Nepalese Tourism Minister Hisila Yami Bhattarai denied the claims that the Young Communist League (YCL), youth wing of the Maoists, were behind the attack and said that the Pashupatinath temple issue should not be construed as "anti-Indian" as the priests have "voluntary resigned".
"The priests have not been evicted by YCL. That is wrong information, and they themselves voluntary resigned." Nepalese Tourism Minister Hisila Bhattarai said.
{{/usCountry}}"The priests have not been evicted by YCL. That is wrong information, and they themselves voluntary resigned." Nepalese Tourism Minister Hisila Bhattarai said.
{{/usCountry}}The Nepalese Tourism Minister said that the temple issue should not be viewed as anti-Indian and competent Nepalese should be allowed to officiate the religious activities.