http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hills_Gold_Rush
Here's a parallel case for sacred site takeover from amrikan history: In 1860, an amrikan catholic missionary starts a rumor that the Sioux are mining/hoarding gold in their most sacred Devasthanam, the Black Hills of Dakota. In addition to a mad stampede of amrikan gold-diggers, all sorts of specious arguments are drawn up by the US government regarding economic integration of the Black Hills, etc. Eventually, it is pointed out that the Sioux were warring with the Cheyenne over these Hills and thus can have no priority over the Hills; or otherwise be trusted with the economic value of the Land. I'm quite sure there were quite a few rational types arguing how ridiculous it was for the Sioux to honor this mere geological phenomenon, etc.
End result: Desecration of the most sacred Native American site. Years earlier, the Sioux had negotiated a treaty with the American government that they would give up all their lands, except for the Black Hills, which they could never compromise on.
Here's a parallel case for sacred site takeover from amrikan history: In 1860, an amrikan catholic missionary starts a rumor that the Sioux are mining/hoarding gold in their most sacred Devasthanam, the Black Hills of Dakota. In addition to a mad stampede of amrikan gold-diggers, all sorts of specious arguments are drawn up by the US government regarding economic integration of the Black Hills, etc. Eventually, it is pointed out that the Sioux were warring with the Cheyenne over these Hills and thus can have no priority over the Hills; or otherwise be trusted with the economic value of the Land. I'm quite sure there were quite a few rational types arguing how ridiculous it was for the Sioux to honor this mere geological phenomenon, etc.
End result: Desecration of the most sacred Native American site. Years earlier, the Sioux had negotiated a treaty with the American government that they would give up all their lands, except for the Black Hills, which they could never compromise on.