‘No one has right to interfere’: Kiren Rijiju on China’s objections to Dalai Lama succession plans

Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, will be attending the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala on Friday

After China’s objections to the choosing the successor of Dalai Lama without seeking ‘approval’ from its Central government, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has supported the Tibetan spiritual leader, born as Tenzin Gyatso, who said that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust holds the legitimate authority to identify his reincarnation.
Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, will be attending the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala on Friday which started on June 30.
“No one has the right to interfere or decide who the successor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be. Only he or the institution has the authority to make that decision. His followers believe that deeply. It’s important for disciples across the world that he decides his succession,” Rijiju has been quoted as saying ahead of his visit, in a report by News18.
The Union minister’s statement came amid the heightened attention on the sensitive issue of the Tibetan spiritual leader’s succession.
In a report by The Hindu, the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamshala has been quoted as saying that the succession plan for the next Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, will be decided by a trust, not the Chinese government, making it clear for the first time that he believes he will be reincarnated.
The statement was released at a convention of the leaders of many Buddhist traditions who have gathered for celebrations of the Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday,
It said that the process by which future Dalai Lama will be recognised would begin with consultations with leaders, members of the Tibetan Government in Exile, and other stakeholders.
This statement prompted Beijing to claim that any succession must be “approved” by the Central Government. It said it passed a law in Tibet in 2007 mandating its authority over the issue. However, this has not been accepted by the Tibetan community worldwide.
While the Dalai Lama’s birthday falls on July 6 as per the Gregorian calendar, festivities began on June 30 in accordance with the Tibetan calendar.
Meanwhile, the choice of Lalan Singh is being considered significant, suggesting his Buddhist connection to Nalanda in Bihar which is an ancient centre of learning and faith and is also Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s constituency.
Government sources have been quoted as saying that the Centre is mindful of the sensitivities involved, especially given China’s repeated attempts to control the narrative around the Dalai Lama’s succession.