India eases holy site rules

India eases holy site rules

By Mahesh Pandey
BBC correspondent in Indore, Madhya Pradesh

The Indian Government has made concessions to Hindus after unrest over a holy site claimed by both Hindus and Muslims in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.

The authorities now say Hindu worshippers can use the site in the town of Dhar every Tuesday, instead of the current rules which only allow them in once a year.

There are no changes for Muslim devotees who use the complex, known as Bhojshala - they can offer prayers every Friday.

An order sent to the state chief minister, Digvijay Singh, says that on all other days the site should be open to the public as a tourist spot.

Hindus say the place was a university dedicated to teaching ancient Sanskrit but Muslims say the place belongs to them because it houses the remains of a holy ascetic.

Communal unrest

Last week a curfew was imposed on Dhar after a Hindu crowd tried to force its way inside, leading to many arrests and sporadic outbreaks of violence across the state.

Local people said police opened fire in a number of incidents and several people were wounded.

A strike was called by the Hindu Jagran Manch group in protest at what it called police excesses against its supporters.

Roads were blocked in several places and angry supporters of the group damaged a number of vehicles.

Events in the district were also raised in the state assembly.