Bhandaris are the assistants of priests and manage funds and valuables at the temple.
Member secretary of the PADT, using the authority delegated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, had appointed Dr. Bishnu Prasad Dahal of Nuwakot as priest in the north face of the temple, and Saligram Dhakal of Sindhupalchowk as priest of Basuki Nath on Sunday.
Petitioners said the priests should be appointed by the government instead of by the member secretary of the PADT. They said the member secretary cannot break the age-old system while appointing the priests.
On Tuesday, priests, Bhandaris and devotees staged sit-in protests in front of the temple, accusing the Maoist-led government of politicizing the Pashupatinath Temple and violating the process and traditions. The Prime Minister is ex-officio patron of the PADT.
The lawyers filing the case are Lok Dhoj Thapa and Binod Phuyal.
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