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February 28, 2003

Hindus Can Worship at Disputed Monument

By CHANDNI SINGH
ASSOCIATED PRESS

BHOPAL, India (AP) - After violent protests, the government has ruled that Hindus can pray once a week at an ancient monument in central India that they say is a temple but Muslims consider a mosque.

Hindus will be allowed to pray every Tuesday at the centuries-old Bhojshala monument in Madhya Pradesh state, the government announced Thursday.

Before, Hindus were allowed to pray only once a year to their goddess Saraswati at the shrine, while Muslims prayed there every Friday.

Muslims make up 10 percent of India's billion people.

Earlier this month, Hindu extremists attacked police with stones and threatened to intensify their protests unless the entrance rules were changed at the monument in Dhar, 170 miles south of the state capital, Bhopal.

Two people were killed in the riots.

Under the new rules, Hindus can bring offerings of rice and flowers into the domed structure, protected as an archaeological monument, said local officials. But Hindu worshippers will not be allowed to light fires or incense sticks, or shout slogans inside.

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