News and Views on Tibet

Former Indian diplomat faces backlash over comments on Dalai Lama

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Foreign policy and defence expert P Stobtan (Photo courtesy OutlookIndia)
Foreign policy and defence expert P Stobtan (Photo courtesy OutlookIndia)

By Choekyi Lhamo

DHARAMSHALA, June 1: Phunchok Stobdan, a foreign policy expert, is facing backlash from the Ladakhi and exile Tibetan community over his “derogatory” comments on the foremost Buddhist leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in an Aaj Tak interview on Friday.

Stobdan questioned the Tibetan leader’s silence on the ongoing border clashes between India and China, and also speculated if the silence can be viewed as being complicit with the Chinese government.

Phunchok Stobdan was seen saying, “Dalai Lama has to speak and cannot keep focussing on his prayers while China eats away the land (in Ladakh). It doesn’t work like that. We have let him create a government in Dharamshala. He should offer a clarification that this is not Tibet’s land; it is India’s.” He further speculated on the Dalai Lama’s possible connection with China, saying that there seems to be some “confusion in the strategy”.

The exile Tibetan government, also known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), condemned the remarks as “shocking and outrageous”. “Personally, it was shocking for me to hear what he said, particularly the mannerism and the language he used in regards to His Holiness,” said CTA President Dr. Lobsang Sangay on Monday.

The President remarked that the Dalai Lama has visited Ladakh around 27 times and has given countless teachings for the people of Ladakh, including three Kalachakra initiations, and also celebrated his birthdays there. “I deeply appreciate the overwhelming support shown by our brothers and sisters in Ladakh. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has always held the people of Ladakh very close to his heart,” he further stated.

Prominent monastaries such as Thiksey and Diskit monasteries in Ladakh were first to condemn the diplomat’s comments in a statement, demanding “unconditional apology” from him. “His Holiness (Dalai Lama) is not only an epitome of peace and ambassador of humanity, but also the most respected spiritual leader of hundreds of thousands of Buddhists around the world,” the monasteries said in a press release.

The All Ladakh Buddhist Association and the Ladakh Gonpa Association have also called out Stobdan for “hurting the sentiments” of the community whereas the Merchant Association of Leh called a strike on Monday in a “symbolic display of solidarity”. “We condemn such usage of blasphemous language hurting the sentiments of all Buddhist communities around the world,” the association further commented.

After days of strong reprisal, Stobdan has apologized for his comments in a video by Daily Excelsior News published on Monday, “[Since I am an] international and national expert on security and strategic affair, none of these comments were meant for any other purpose but to give an articulation on the issues that concern our national defence. In the process, if anybody was hurt, I sincerely apologize. There was no other ulterior motive to hurt any religious sentiments of anybody.”

The former ambassador said that the worrying border issues have been very concerning and that his comments were “not meant to hurt anybody including His Holiness or to his followers in Ladakh.” Stobdan also stated that he worships the Dalai Lama and that he did not make the comments to repudiate anybody, “People expect me to say something on issues of serious concern. These comments were made in a proper spirit, my wordings may have been wrong, and some words have not been conveyed properly. . . I deeply apologize.”

 

3 Responses

  1. Mr. Stobdan neither spoke like a diplomat nor like and expert in that interview. He spoke like a man with and agenda to push. That he should drag His Holiness into this mess at this time, that he should inject, unprompted, His Holiness name is such a manner is highly inflammatory and belies his claim of being an expert rendering well considered and objective opinion.
    Mr. Stobdan should know, as an “expert,” that nothing His Holiness or Tibetans could say on this matter at this time would move the issue and inch towards resolution.
    To him, His Holiness is just a pawn to be used at an opportune moment. The people of Ladakh saw this clearly and were rightfully angry. As a Tibetan, I am heartened by their immediate actions – Thank you.

  2. Let me refresh your foreign policy expert mind Mr Stobdan that Dalai Lama has stopped engaging in any political matter long time ago. He is someone who is revered around the world for his commitment to peace and harmony.
    This commitment is not just for few years, he has done this since he was 6 years old and is still going on and we hope that he will carry on beyond 100 plus years.
    The Government of India, Ladakh should be the one to deal with the Chinese border encroachment. The only thing Tibetan Administration can do is pay a lip service.
    what is your motive in questioning the silence of His Holiness Dalai Lama ??

  3. The Dalai Lama is no longer the political head of the Tibetan people, so dragging him into this is a great disservice for all. One does what one is able to do and those that realize their limitations (actual or otherwise) and have gravitas pass the baton. That is something everyone in position of authority can learn from. The Tibetan issue is very much a geopolitical issue that is not just limited to China and India. Historically, the Regents played a role.

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