Ever since the visit of His Holiness, the 14^th Dalai Lama to Arunachal was announced, there has been a blitzkrieg of opposition from China and subsequent warnings thatallowing Tibet's exiled leader to visit Arunachal will cause "serious damage" to bilateral ties. It has also indicated the likely damage the whole incident may cause as regards peace and stability in the contested border region.

China's argument is that since the sixth Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso was born in Tawang, it is close to the hearts and religious sentiments of the Tibetan people, and India should make this concession on Tawang. The current Dalai Lama fled to India via Tawang in the late 1950s. 

According to Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama may be born anywhere but his seat is at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet. The Tawang monastery, known as the Galden Namgey Lhatse Monastery in Tibet, was founded by Lama Lodre Gyatso in 1680-81 according to the wishes of the fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso. It is also the seat of the Karma-Kargyu sect. The Chinese Communist party has been of opinion that without controlling Tawang it cannot have legitimacy over Tibet. 

While it is true that smooth ties between the two long time foes is highly valued but being a sovereign country, India has every right to host whomever it pleases especially a religious leader of His Holiness’ stature, who above anything else is a global icon of peace.

Unlike other charismatic religious leaders who instigate and incite violence and unrest on the basis of religion, the Dalai Lama has never veered away from the path of non-violence while fighting for Tibetan independence from the clutches of the Chinese. Such is his stature today that many analysts feel the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on him in the year 1989 enhanced the prestige of the honour instead of being the other way round.

 

Arunachal has played host to HH on several occasions and it is unfortunate to see the hullabaloo created and not just by our neighbouring country. Certain sections even within the state and the anti-talk Ulfa in Assam have raised eyebrows due to their extreme stance.

 India, has not given the Dalai Lama any privilege which was not accorded to him earlier. The only difference is that India used to sometimes quietly oblige when China raised red flags over his presence in certain parts of India and certain meetings. However, India has made a beginning in a more assertive policy on Tibet and is not being apologetic about its hosting the Tibetan government-in-exile in India. 

The Buddhist population in Arunachal which accounts for 11.8% according to the 2011 census are a peace loving, hard working community. And as is the case with other religions, they revere the Dalai Lama and have every right to meet their spiritual leader. As a nation, India doesn’t interfere in the internal matters of China and likewise it must have no business meddling in ours.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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