By Robbie Barnett
Kathmandu, July 5 – The ban by the Nepalese authorities on celebrations of the Dalai Lama’s birthday on July 6th was issued on orders from the Nepalese Home Ministry, according to a Tibetan official in Kathmandu, who added that the wide-reaching order had been confirmed on Saturday morning.
Late on Friday night the Chief Superintendent of Police for the Kathmandu Valley, Kubir Rana, informed the Dalai Lama’s Representative in Kathmandu, Wangchuk Tsering, that all events celebrating the birthday on 6th July were banned.
Superintendent Rana said that he was issuing the ban “on orders from the Home Ministry”, according to Mr Tsering. Other sources, who did not want to be named, said further that they had been informed that the Home Ministry had been acting on instructions from the office of the Prime Minister.
The ban explicitly covers prayers and incense offerings normally carried out at Boudha stupa every July 6th, as well as official events and receptions organised by the Tibetan community in Nepal. Although prominent display of the Dalai Lama’s photograph and political slogans have been banned at these events for several years, and an official reception was also stopped last year, the collective prayer ceremonies and procession held every year have never been banned before.
Permission had earlier been granted for all the events to take place by the Chief District Officer of the Kathmandu Valley, and written instructions had been issued to the Boudha police on 26th June to allow the ceremonies to take place as usual, according to Mr Tsering.
The Tibetan community’s leaders in Nepal will not organise any community events on Sunday, in line with the banning order, Mr Tsering said, adding that he has arranged for newspapers in Kathmandu to carry notices to that effect tomorrow. But individuals are still likely to gather at the Boudha stupa to perform ceremonies for the Dalai Lama.
