Hindus pray at disputed temple

Hindus pray at disputed temple

INDIA: Hindu devotees on Tuesday offered prayers at a disputed temple after a government body opened up the site following violent protests, an official said.

The 1,000-year old Bhojshala structure in the Dhar district of central Madhya Pradesh state, which has a mosque inside a Hindu temple, has been open to Muslims for prayers every Friday.

Previously Hindus were only allowed to offer prayers there once a year on the day of the spring festival Basant Panchami under an agreement made in 1998.

The arrangement was challenged in February by activists of the right-wing outfit Hindu Jagran Manch (Hindu Awakening Forum), leading to violent protests in which three people were killed and up to 15 policemen injured.

On Monday, the Archaeological Survey of India, which oversees the property, directed the state government to open the structure to Hindus every Tuesday. The complex is now also open to tourists seven days a week. AFP