Palace cancels Hindu temple visit

The Duke of Edinburgh's visit to a Hindu temple in Leicester has been cancelled because of an internal dispute among members.

The visit to the Shree Hindu Temple was shelved after a letter was sent to Buckingham Palace saying it was "not in the best interests" of the public.

But a committee member of the group that wrote the letter said it only wanted to raise concerns about the row.

The Hindu Forum of Britain said the issues should have been sorted out.

Two factions

Weeks of preparations had gone into the planned visit, seen as a major honour for one of the UK's largest Hindu communities.

Two factions are divided over how the temple is run.

"There were differences between the members which should have been sorted out"
Ramanbhai Barber, Hindu Forum of Britain

"With the current outrage over the way the temple is being managed we sadly request the visit be cancelled," according to a letter seen by the BBC.

The temple's general secretary, Rashmi Joshi, said it was disappointing as "thousands of volunteers" had worked to arrange the visit, adding it will remain as "a black mark" on the local Hindu community.

Minesh Patel, a member of the group that wrote the letter, said it only intended to raise concerns about the internal dispute at the temple.

Ramanbhai Barber, of Hindu Forum of Britain said: "We are sad the visit has been cancelled - the Hindu community and temple community had been looking forward to the royal visit for a long time".

"There were differences between the members which should have been sorted out - but not to write such letters and upset the Hindu community.

"The Hindu community is shattered and upset about the situation."

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