Date:04/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/04/stories/2007110460961000.htm

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‘Rekindle spirit of Hindi-Chini bhai bhai’

Special Correspondent

Dalai Lama felicitated on return from U.S.

— Photo: AP

The Dalai Lama greets historian Kapila Vatsyayan (left) in New Delhi on Saturday.

NEW DELHI: All Union Ministers stayed away from a function to honour the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, after the Cabinet Secretariat was reported to have issued a circular asking them to keep away from a felicitation for him. It was organised by the Gandhi Peace Foundation and the All India Parliamentary Forum for Tibet on Saturday on his return from the U.S., where he received the highest civilian award from the U.S. Congress.

However, there was no official confirmation of the circular.

The organisers expressed disappointment over the absence of Ministers but said it was a private function and invitations had been sent to all the Ministers and MPs.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who had earlier confirmed her participation, also did not turn up saying that she had to rush to Mumbai. Among those present to honour the Dalai Lama were the former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral, Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra, scholar Kapila Vatsyayan and other supporters of the Tibetan cause.

BJP president Rajnath Singh demanded a clarification on the reported circular and wondered whether it had been issued under the pressure of the Left parties.

The Dalai Lama himself did not attach much importance to the issue and said that relations between him and the Indian Government were “excellent.”

Addressing the gathering, the Dalai Lama reiterated that resolution of the Tibetan issue was vital to improve India-China relations and said “genuine friendship” between the two countries should rekindle the ‘Hindi-Chini bhai bhai’ spirit.

He said he did not aspire to hold any “political position” if a local Tibetan government was formed. He was already in “semi-retirement” and would contribute to the Tibetan cause as a “senior adviser.”

The Dalai Lama said that he was now following a three-point commitment — promotion of human values of compassion and tolerance, promotion of religious harmony and carrying out his “moral responsibility” towards Tibet.

Recalling his long-time association with India and its leaders, the Tibetan spiritual leader said at a felicitation function here on Saturday that “historically Tibet is the “chela” [student] of India and that he considered himself a “messenger of India’s ancient thought.”

Nothing to do with circular: Congress

The Congress said the party had nothing to do with the circular reportedly issued by the Cabinet Secretariat asking members of the Union Council of Ministers to stay away from the felicitation function for the Dalai Lama.

Responding to media queries, Congress spokesman Veerappa Moily sought to put to rest speculations of a link between the circular and Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s recent visit to China. “Do not forget that it was the Congress party which gave him everything in this country, including land.”