New Delhi: Amid the ongoing tense standoff with China at the Line of Actual Control, the Chief Minister of Sikkim has written to Prime Minister Modi requesting him to facilitate the return of 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje to India. The 35-year-old Karmapa, head of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, has been in US since 2017 citing health concerns which have been questioned by Indian officials suspicious of his motives in the past.
Following the sharp worsening of Indo-China ties in wake of the Galwan violence that led to loss of lives of 20 Indian jawans, India has stepped up its defence preparedness, made noises towards decoupling trade with China, spoken out on Hong Kong in a change of strategy and is re-looking at its leverage with Tibet and Taiwan. The letter was written by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang To PM Modi on 18th July, assumes significance given its timing. "Your good self is aware that the devotees of Sikkim desire to have physical darshan of HH the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjey. All Sikkimese are looking forward to his early visit to Sikkim," writes Tamang in the letter.
The 17th Karmapa was granted asylum in India by then Prime Minister Vajpayee in 2000 following a dramatic escape from Tibet. After a period of restrictions imposed on him following allegations of being a 'Chinese spy' by Indian intelligence agencies, the Karmapa Lama was allowed to freely move around the country including visits to Sikkim. "Fortunately, these restrictions on His Holiness' movement were lifted in 2018 except for Rumtek Monastery following persistent public demand. I and my fellow Sikkimese are most grateful that these restrictive measures were removed by the present Government under your benign leadership in 2018. The devotees have now been approaching my Government for His Holiness' early visit to Sikkim in line with their cherished spiritual aspirations," CM Tamang wrote in the letter.
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Both Dalai Lama and China recognise Ogyen Trinley Dorje as the 17th Karmapa. India for long recognised his rival, Thaye Trinley Dorje, but in the post-Dalai Lama scenario, it is Karmapa Lama who will hold influence over the Tibetan diaspora. In the past three years, the Karmapa has signalled his support to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan cause by sharing stage with representatives of Central Tibetan Administration as well as Chinese dissidents. The Tibetan government in exile with its headquarters in Dharamshala have publicly acknowledged their trust in the 17th Karmapa.
However, since 2018 there has been back and forth between Karpama Lama and New Delhi for conditions of his return which was expected in November that year for the 13th religious conference on Tibetan Buddhism in Dharamshala. The conference, however, was postponed due to the death of the seventh head of the Nyingmapa tradition, Kathok Getse Rinpoche. The ball has been rolling since then with Indian officials saying the Karmapa Lama had not applied for the necessary documentation to return and the Karmapa, who now has a Dominican citizenship, contesting it.
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Earlier addressing a webinar, Amitabh Mathur, former Special Secretary RAW who served as an adviser to GoI on Tibetan affairs said, "China is waiting to install their Dalai Lama. India should unequivocally state it is the Dalai Lama's choice alone. That will reassure Tibetans in exile. India should immediately consult with him about his wishes." Further talking about Tibet in context of Indo-China ties he advocated the need for a 'conducive atmosphere to facilitate Karmapa Lama to return and live freely in India, as he has already been recognised by the Dalai Lama and has caught the imagination of the Tibetan people cutting across sectarian lines."
Meanwhile, it is learnt that Sonam Lama, Minister in Tamang's cabinet has sent an invitation letter to the 17th Karmapa to visit Sikkim and bless his devotees.
