NEW DELHI, India (AP) -- Thousands of Buddhist monks and students paraded through the streets of the Indian and Nepalese capitals on Monday, denouncing the destruction of ancient statues of Buddha by Afghanistan's Taliban rulers.
The rallies, led by Buddhist monks in flowing maroon robes, ended at the United Nations offices in New Delhi and Katmandu.
The protesters demanded that the world body send a delegation to bring back whatever was left of the Buddhist relics in that country.
The Taliban have ignored pleas from an outraged world to stop the destruction of the ancient relics from their pre-Islamic past. The country's rulers have called the statues idolatrous, and their targets include two towering, ancient statues of Buddha in Bamiyan.
In Nepal, where Buddha was born more than 2,500 years ago, both the majority Hindus and Buddhists voiced outrage.
``At a time when there are so many conflicts going in the world, the teachings and wisdom of Buddha provides a solace to the world,'' said the Lumbini Development Trust, which builds and maintains Buddhist shrines. ``It is the responsibility of all the people to conserve ... historic and religious heritage related to Buddha.''
Islamic officials also spoke out against destruction of the statues.
``Those who carry out such satanic acts are not true followers of Islam,'' said Khwaja Afzal Nizami. ``The Holy Quran doesn't teach religious intolerance.''
The World Hindu Federation called the destruction a ``deplorable act'' and said it would harm good will between Islam and other religions.