Lanka plea for relics rejected

Patna, May 27: Bihar government today categorically turned down the Lankan government's proposal for sending relics of Buddha to that country for public display next month.

''The relics are auspicious and should not be treated like goods which can be transported anywhere in the world,'' Tourism Minister Nand Kishore Yadav told UNI here.

''Sri Lanka's request is unacceptable to the Bihar government and they have been duly communicated about the decision taken to maintain the sanctity of the relics,'' he added.

Mr Yadav said the relics were kept under proper security cover at the Patna Museum and in view of security threats, it cannot be moved from there. ''Those who really desire a holy glimpse will have to come here, otherwise every country following Buddhism will start practising the same trend,'' he maintained.

The Minister further said the states tourism would get affected if Buddhas relics were sent outside on request of other nations.

According to him, the casket containing the ashes is too fragile to be sent outside.

UNI