GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th July-In a strong and unified stand for the Tibetan cause, Indian Members of Parliament across party lines have urged the Central government to bestow the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, on His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. They have also requested that the Tibetan spiritual leader be allowed to address a joint session of Parliament — a move that is expected to provoke a stern reaction from Beijing.
The appeal came during the second meeting of the all-party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, held earlier this month. The 10-member committee, led by BJD MP Sujeeth Kumar, includes representatives from the BJP, JD(U), and BJD, among others. Their resolution comes months after the group faced criticism from China following its first meeting in December 2024.
Sujeeth Kumar, who also serves as the convenor of the forum, confirmed the launch of a national signature campaign to support the Dalai Lama’s nomination for Bharat Ratna. “Several MPs have sent in video messages supporting the cause. We will soon write to the Speakers of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, urging them to convene a joint sitting of Parliament to be addressed by His Holiness,” he said.
The forum has also raised concerns over China’s interference in Tibetan spiritual affairs, particularly Beijing’s attempts to control the process of identifying the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The MPs reiterated that only the Tibetan people have the legitimate right to decide their spiritual leader’s succession.
Taking the campaign a step further, Arunachal Pradesh MP Tapir Gao proposed a mass public rally in support of the Tibetan cause to spread awareness nationwide. He also suggested that the Dalai Lama be invited to speak in the Central Hall of Parliament on themes such as global peace and compassion.
In another significant gesture, the forum expressed admiration for the recent pro-Tibet bill passed by the U.S. Congress and urged similar legislation in India. They also discussed the implementation of the 2014 Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy, which provides for land lease rights and basic amenities for Tibetan refugees.
“We have requested fellow MPs to reach out to district administrations and state governments to ensure the Tibetan settlements receive necessary infrastructure like roads, water, and electricity,” Kumar noted.
The Home Ministry’s 2014 guidelines mandate state governments to lease land to Tibetan refugees for 20 years, grant rent tenancy certificates, and extend benefits of welfare schemes.
This renewed momentum from Indian lawmakers signals a significant shift in political engagement with the Tibetan issue — one that could further complicate India’s already tense diplomatic equation with China. Yet, for many in India, the gesture is long overdue recognition of the Dalai Lama’s contribution to peace, spirituality, and humanity.
