Decision left to boy-monk

(The Times of India, 11 Jan 2000)

By Jagdish Bhatt

McLEODGANJ: The Tibetan government-in-exile said here on Tuesday it was up to the Karmapa to decide whether he wanted to seek political asylum in India.

Briefing the Kashag (the Tibetan parliament-in-exile), minister for religion and culture Tashi Wangde said a request for asylum has to be made by the person concerned, adding his government did not want to politicise the issue.

The government-in-exile has not made any formal request to the Indian government for political asylum to the Karmapa, he said, adding, ``The Indian government is aware of his presence and is looking into the issue. We are sure it will take the right decision in its wisdom.''

Asked what would be their response if New Delhi did not take an early decision, he said the matter would be considered at an ``appropriate time''.

Asked whether the Karmapa stay at McLeodganj if ggranted asylum, Wangde said he would have to go to monasteries of his own sect. ``There are Kargyu monasteries in Rumtek (Sikkim) and Sherabling (Baijnath) and he will have to go there,'' he added.

Asked why the Karmapa had fled China, he said, these questions had not been put to him. ``The repression of Tibetans in China is known, but we are waiting for him to recoup before putting such questions to him,'' he said.

Wangde said the Karmapa will himself decide when he wanted to come out in the public, but as of now he was spending his time relaxing and reading the scriptures. ``After he has recovered, we will see what he wants to be done as per his wishes and our limitations,'' he added.

He said the overall situation in Tibet has been deteriorating in the last few years. ``The Karmapa's flight will not break any bridges and is only the symptom of a larger problem. One cannot deal with symptoms without dealing with the problem which is of most important for the Tibetan people,'' he said.

Asked whether a recent visit by a US official was in connection with the Karmapa's flight, he said she had come in connection with grants to refugees.

For the time being, however, the Karmapa would continue to stay here, he added.