Vajpayee: Rioting a 'disgrace to nation'

Indian forces patrol the streets in Gujarat

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) -- Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has appealed for peace following the country's worst religious bloodshed in a decade that has left nearly 300 people dead.

"Whatever the provocation, people should maintain peace and exercise restraint," he said on state television.

"The burning alive of people, including women and children, from Godhra to Ahmedabad and other places is a blot on the country's face."

He said this week's violence in the western state of Gujarat had damaged India's reputation in the world.

"I am confident all secular minded people will observe peace and help the government in maintaining communal harmony."

Gujarat has been gripped by religious bloodshed since a suspected Muslim mob set fire to a train on Wednesday and burnt at least 55 people alive -- mostly Hindus.