KATHMANDU: Jayatu Sanskritam Mahasabha and Sanskritik Nawajagaran Andolan have warned of dire consequences if the government continued to promote Indian priests in the Pashupatinath Temple.

Organising a press meet in the capital today, former chief priest of Pashupatinath Dr Bishnu Dahal said Nepali priests and religious gurus were qualified for the job. The Maoist-led government had drawn widespread criticism in the country and abroad following his appointment.

“We would like to appeal to India-based Hindu organisations, Hindu fanatic political parties, Mahantha, Mahamandaleshwor and Jagadguru Shankaracharyas to cooperate with us in protecting Hinduism in Nepal,” said Dr Dahal, adding that they were struggling to discontinue the age-old practice of appointing Indian Bhattas in the temple.

“It’s unfortunate that the government is sending wrong message to the world community by sidelining Nepali priests,” he said.

Dr Rishi Prasad Sharma, a JSM member, warned of burning the copies of the Vedas if the government did not make the income and expenditure of the temple transparent.

The case of appointing a Nepali to head the temple is sub-judice in the Supreme Court.