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Dalai Lama’s office urges caution after fake letter in social media

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The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Monday said the letter is fake.
The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Monday said the letter is fake.

By Tenzin Dharpo

DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 21: A day after a widely circulated fake letter in the name of the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama surfaced on micro-messaging and social media platforms, the office of the Dalai Lama issued a statement on Monday urging caution and alertness among the Tibetan public.

The author of the doctored letter purporting to be the Tibetan letter urged the public to take part in the upcoming 2021 Tibetan general elections, while stating that the Tibetan people must elect a leader that can continue the work and unceasing dedication of the incumbent Tibetan President Dr. Lobsang Sangay and not a candidate that is “controversial and questionable”.  

The office of the Dalai Lama in a statement said that the letter is “fake”. The letter is aimed at maligning the image of the Tibetan leader and to disturb the unity of the Tibetan people, said the statement. The clarification further urged the Tibetan public to exercise alertness and caution while dealing with fake letters in the future as well.

“Since devolving political authority in 2011, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has never interfered in political matters of the Tibetan community,” the letter stated.

On Monday, the President of the exile Tibetan government, known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration Dr. Lobsang Sangay condemned the act, which he said was tantamount to playing into the hands of the enemy, indicating that it is a handy work of a Tibetan. “During the election, a person can show support for one’s candidate but should refrain from disparaging other candidates,” the President said in an online address.

Dr. Sangay pleaded with the Tibetan people to partake in the upcoming elections without engaging in divisive acts along the lines of regionalism and sectarianism. The CTA President said that the matter is being probed.

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