Murky Hindu body admits to Nepal unrest

By: Abdullah

KATMANDU, Nepal: A Hindu group claiming affiliation with India's hardline Shiv Sena has reportedly claimed responsibility for the nationwide attacks on Nepal's mosques on September 1 following the killing of 12 hostages in Iraq at the hands of terrorists using the name of Islam aimed at defaming the religion of love and peace.

A local weekly Jana Aastha carried a front-page report earlier this week purporting to reproduce part of a statement issued by the Hindu organization, the Nepal Shiv Sena (NSS).

The statement in the name of Kiran Singh Budhathoki, who called himself the president of the Nepal Shiv Sena, was not published in its entirety.

It said three mosques and four Islamic seminaries were destroyed in Katmandu under the direction of the NSS. Besides, it also directed the destruction in other places like Jhapa, Biratnagar, Mahendranagar and Birgunj.

During Nepal riots, Mosques, Islamic seminaries, Muslim-run businesses, and Pakistan and Middle Eastern airlines offices were ransacked.

On Thursday, Nepalese holding peace signs to show solidarity with all religions staged a rally in Katmandu. The youth wing of the ruling Nepali Congress Party led the rally to denounce recent attacks on Nepali mosques, and other private property, that were a retaliation to the killing of 12 Nepali workers.

Earlier, leaders of various religions marched during a peace rally in Katmandu on Sept. 5. Hundreds of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians took part in the silent rally, urging peace and religious tolerance in response to the rioting.

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