India rebukes China on the election of Dalai Lama’s successor

Rijiju said in clear words on Thursday that the decision to choose the successor of Dalai Lama will be taken by the established institution and Dalai Lama only.

New Delhi: Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has reprimanded China amid the controversy over the election of Dalai Lama's successor.

Rijiju said in clear words on Thursday that the decision to choose the successor of Dalai Lama will be taken by the established institution and Dalai Lama only. No one else will have any role in this.

Ever since the 14th Dalai Lama, the supreme religious leader of Tibet, has announced the selection of his successor, China has been trying to interfere in this election.

China says that the successor of Dalai Lama will have to get approval from the Beijing government.

On Wednesday, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said that the Dalai Lama institution will continue and only the Gaden Phodrang Trust will have the right to recognize his successor.

The entire process will be according to the wishes of the Dalai Lama

Rijiju said that the Dalai Lama is the most important and decisive institution for Buddhists.

He further said that the choice of his next incarnation should be according to the established tradition and the wishes of the Dalai Lama.

No one other than him and the existing traditions has the right to decide this.

Minister to represent India on Dalai Lama's birthday

Rijiju, a Buddhist, and his fellow Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh are representing the Indian government at the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamsala on July 6.

The 14th Dalai Lama is the most important institution for Tibetans and all those who follow the Nalanda tradition of Buddhism.