Krishna Visits Pashupatinath, Enquires about Safety of Indian Priests, Pilgrims
On second day of his Nepal visit, External Affairs Minister, while visiting the world famour Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, enquired about the safety of the Indian pujaris and returned satisfied, reported PTI.
Two months ago, two Indian pujaris were assaulted by Maoist at the temple.
The minister, who held discussions with prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and deputy prime minister Sujata Koirala yesterday, said that he took up with Nepalese leadership the issue of safety of Indian priests and others who come for pilgrimage to Pashupatinath temple, and had been reassured on this count, said report.
“I talked to them (the priests who were attacked). They said they are protected and treated well and feel quite comfortable,” he was quoted as saying.
He made the statement while talking to reporters after visiting the temple along with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and other Indian officials.
Two priests – Girish Bhatt and Raghavendra Bhatt belonging to Krishna’s home state Karnataka – were severely thrashed and their clothes and sacred thread cut by dozens of Maoists in September last year. The priests were badly injured in the attack in the incident, which had evoked concern and sharp reaction from the Indian government.
“They are supremely safe,” Krishna was quoted as saying in response to a query about whether he was satisfied by the security measures.
