Karmapa issue took a new turn

Gangtok, Jan 18 (UNI) The issue of Karmapa took a new turn with Rimpoche Dawa Sangpo Dorjee, one of the claimants for the 17th Karmapa demanding a test of spiritual powers among all the claimants for this position here today.

''All the claimants should be brought at one place by the authorities and be given an opportunity to demonstrate their powers,' Rimpoche Dorjee said.

Rimpoche Dojree, who hails from Mangan, North Sikkim and belongs to Sherpa community claimed that in 1986 the monks of the Rumtek Monastery had hailed him as the 17th Karmapa when he was only two and half year-old.

Rimpoche Dorjee said he had been putting forward his claim since 2001 and met the Union leaders but to no avail.

''The test of spiritual powers to determine the real 17th Karmapa should be between Uygen Thinley Dorjee, Tinley Thai Dorjee, myself and other claimants,'' said Rimpoche Dorjee.

Ugyen Thinley Dorjee, another claimant for the Karmapa had remained silent over the issue till today.

He was not been allowed by the Centre to visit Sikkim despite demand by some monks in the state.

Meanwhile, Sikkim Gorkha Democratic Party (SGDP) President G M Rai said the state government should not allow Ugyen Thinley Dorjee to enter Sikkim until the 17th Karmapa is identified.

Mr Rai supported the demands of Rimpoche Dorjee and accused the state government for suppressing the Sherpa community claimant to protect the Bhutia and Lepcha communities and also threatened to make Rimpoche Dorjee's claim a national issue.

UNI