By Girish Kumar Dubey
An ancient hand-written Hindu scripture 'Ramcharitmanas' was stolen from a temple in Varanasi city of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state. The temple is located in Bhelupur area, on the banks of River Ganga.
A silver crown and a Ramayana text were also stolen along with the two-volume set of the ancient hand written holy 'Ramcharitmanas' scripture which was written by the 16th century poet and saint Tulsidas.
Speaking about the unfortunate incident, the priest of the temple, Vishambar Nath Mishra said that the theft was a major loss and he was still to come to terms with what has happened.
"It was extremely valuable to us. It's an ancient scripture from here. How will it be used and for what purpose I cannot say right now. As of now we are too shocked to think about anything else. The Police had also come and have promised us action," said Mishra.
Mishra added that the scripture was wrapped in a yellow cloth and was kept in the holy chamber of the temple, the foundation stone for which is believed to have been laid by saint Tulsidas himself.
Warning the provincial government of nationwide protest if investigation was not carried out in the matter, leader of India's main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party, Alok Pandey said that it was the worst day in any devout Hindu's life.
"For us the followers of Hinduism, this has to be the worst day in our religious lives. Through the media we demand that instant action and enquiry must be ordered in this case by the provincial government and the administration. Otherwise not just here, we will protest against this in the whole of India," Pandey said.
The police have registered a case of theft at the Bhelupur police station in Varanasi and probe into the matter was on track.
An ancient hand-written Hindu scripture 'Ramcharitmanas' has been stolen from a temple in Varanasi city of India's Uttar Pradesh state.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (DECEMBER 23, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
1. PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE
2. AN INSCRIPTION READING 'SHREE MAT GOSWAMI TULSIDAS JI' IN HINDI
3. A MAN SHOWING THE BROKEN LOCK
4. INTERIORS OF THE TEMPLE
5. A RELIGIOUS BOOK
6. VIEW OF THE TEMPLE COMPOUND
7. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) TEMPLE PRIEST VISHAMBAR NATH MISHRA, SAYING:
"It was extremely valuable to us. It's an ancient scripture from here. How will it be used and for what purpose I cannot say right now. As of now we are too shocked to think about anything else. The Police had also come and have promised us action."
8. PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE
9. PEOPLE TALKING
10. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION, THE BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY (BJP), ALOK PANDEY, SAYING:
"For us the followers of Hinduism, this has to be the worst day in our religious lives. Through the media we demand that instant action and enquiry must be ordered in this case by the provincial government and the administration. Otherwise not just here, we will protest against this in the whole of India."
11. POLICE OFFICIALS TALKING
12. POLICE OFFICIALS STANDING
13. A POLICE VEHICLE MOVING
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