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