MBSI demands Indian citizenship for Dalai Lama

Varanasi, Nov 6 (UNI) The Maha Bodhi Society of India (MBSI) today reiterated its demand for bestowing Indian citizenship upon Nobel peace laureate the Dalai Lama and over 40,000 other Tibetans presently residing in India as refugees.

MBSI Chairman B K Modi told newspersons here that a resolution seeking Indian citizenship for the Dalai Lama has been passed by the Society at its 109th Annual General Meeting held in Kolkata on September 23 last.

''India, known for its spiritual treasure is devoid of a spiritual leader who can wear the mantle of a global spiritual leader. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the fittest personality who can lead India on the world spiritual stage, but for that to happen the government in Delhi should first bestow upon him Indian citizenship,'' Dr Modi added.

Besides, the over 40,000 Tibetans residing as refugees in India after being driven away from their homeland should also be granted citizenship by India, he maintained.

The 115-years-old MBSI, also being the largest Buddhist organisation, resolves to initiate and forward such proposals to appropriate government authorities for honouring the Dalai Lama by bestowing upon him citizenship of India, Dr Modi said, adding that it also passed another resolution at its annual general meeting to form a 'Committee for Peace in Sri Lanka.' The 12-member committee has among other members spiritual gurus Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Swami Chidananda Saraswati, Ven. Lhakdor -- a representative of H H the Dalai Lama -- Archbishop Vincent M Concessao and two retired IAS officers Devendra Raj Metha and Mahesh Prasad.

Dr Modi, also the convenor of the Committee, said the committee members have already visited Sri Lanka twice to initiate the process of permanent peace in the island nation. ''I will myself visit Lanka next month to draw a proper roadmap towards establishment of peace in Sri Lanka,'' he added.

He further said MBSI peace committee will be totally different from the ongoing Norwegian peace attempts in Lanka, which are more for economic reasons, particularly with an eye on the deep sea ports in that country.

''We are in a better position to enable all sections of the Lankan society to make permanent peace, as India has had strong cultural and economic ties with the island nation right from the period of Emperor Ashoka,'' Dr Modi added.

Dr Modi further said that he is also proposing that the MBSI headquarters be shifted from Kolkata to Sarnath.

UNI ARS ATI VD VV1809