Next Dalai Lama Will Be Decided Only By The Set Procedure And At Dharamsala, India
Government of India’s position on His Holiness the Dalai Lama is clear and consistent. He is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. There is no change in that position. His Holiness is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India. This has been clearly articulated by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
The successor of the Dalai Lama has to be decided from among the Tibetans living in India by the established procedure of the Tibetan Government in Exile and any interference by China on the issue will impact bilateral ties, between India and China for sure.
The reincarnation of Dalai Lama is a historical and religious issue. There are established historical institutions and formalities for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and China has no role in this, even if they have physically captured Tibet. The re incarnation issue will be either approved by the Dalai Lama while he is still alive or after his death by the set procedure followed since last 200 years. Chinese Government has no role whatsoever in this.
It seems Chinese authorities are already feeling very nervous on this issue. No wonder one Mr Wang Neng Sheng, a Chinese official in the rank of vice minister in Tibet has already started his Government propaganda. Mr Wang the director general at the Chinese government of Tibet Region, said Beijing will be deciding the successor through the “draw of lots in golden urn process” within China. Echoing Mr Wang’s views, Zha Luo, director at Beijing-based China Tibetology Research Centre, a Chinese government-run influential think tank, said any refusal by India to recognise the next Dalai Lama to be chosen within China will impact bilateral ties.
“It will be a major political difference that would impact bilateral relations and any wise political leader wouldn’t do that,” said Mr Zha whose team advises central government on policy issues for Tibet.
Thus Mr zha must advise the Communist Politburo accordingly and ask them to desist from interfering in the religious activities of Tibetans. The new Dalai Lama will be decided independent of Chinese authority.
Even if the Chinese name a separate Dalai Lama, it will not give them any additional authority over Tibetans in general and Tibetans in exile in particular. Such interference will only strengthen the Tibetan resolve to continue to fight for their freedom.
Government of India and the people of India are not going to abandon the Tibetans.
