Dalai Lama in Tawang. Turns emotional, Asks China to spell its policy on Tibet

Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, (74) is on a four-day visit Tawang (11,400 feet) in Arunachal Pradesh, where he landed 50 –years ago after fleeing from Tibet.

He is staying at the 300-year-old Tawang Monastery. He will give religious discourses at this monastery and at nearby Dirang (Nov 12), Bom Dila (Nov 13) and Itanagar, the provincial capital, on November 14.

Expectedly, the visit has generated widespread interest as China had raised objections and India stuck to its guns that the Dalai Lama is an honored guest and that he is free to travel across the country without indulging in politics- a euphemism for China baiting. India did not allow foreign journalists to cover the visit.

This is not the first visit of the Nobel laureate; he was in Tawang three times - in 1983, 1997 and 2003. In fact, in 2003 he had been to Arunachal twice – first time to Tawang and the second time to see Mahayana Buddhism dominated western Arunachal. Never had he allowed himself to be drawn into a political dialogue

This time, however, he surprised his hosts by administering a public snub to China. ‘I am surprised by its (China’s) claims on Tawang’, he said on arrival to a rousing reception. ‘It is quite usual for China to step up campaigning against me wherever I go’, he observed and added that there was no point in holding talks with China on the Tibet issue ‘unless they (China) make clear their policy’ (on Tibet)
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He also gave lessons in history to all those hearing him or monitoring his movements.

The People's Liberation Army (of China), the Tibetan spiritual Guru recalled, had nearly reached Bom Dila during the Sino-India war in 1962. Chinese Government itself made a unilateral ceasefire declaration and withdrew its forces. ‘Now the Chinese have got different views. This is something which I really don't know’.

The Dalai Lama remarked: ‘I am little bit surprised’ over China’s claims over Tawang.

At the outset, the Tibetan spiritual leader sought to set the record straight in so far his visit was concerned. He said it was totally baseless on the part of the Chinese Communist Government to say that he was encouraging a separatist movement. ‘My visit to Tawang is non-political and aimed at promoting universal brotherhood and nothing else’.

Tawang came under a security blanket as the Dalai Lama arrived in a helicopter from Guwahati in Assam. The intense security drill however did not dampen the enthusiasm of locals who came out in large numbers and lined either side of the 10-km road from the helipad to the Tawang Monastery. Chief Minister Dorjee Kandu welcomed him at the helipad and accompanied him to the Monastery.

Recalling the day he had arrived in Tawang in 1959 from Tibet, Dalai Lama said: ‘I am getting emotional’. He said: when he escaped from Tibet he had mental stress and anxiety. ‘I had a feeling of hopelessness. But the moment I arrived here, I felt safe. There were no Chinese behind us’.

-Asian Tribune -