China restricts religious practices of Tibetans in Lhasa

Tibetans in Lhasa have been instructed to restrict certain religious practices during the holy month called 'Saga Dawa'. It is being see as yet another move by Chinese authorities to curb the religious freedom of the Buddhist population.  This decision was notified in a circular sent by the Lhasa City Buddhist Association on May 9 ahead of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar which began on Wednesday, which Buddhists consider sacred, reported the Phayul news portal. 

The reason for the order is premised on the risk of spreading coronavirus. But, the Lobby and activist group International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), believes that the real aim is to further restrict Tibetans religious freedom. "While coronavirus prevention measures are valid as the pandemic continues to afflict the world, the Lhasa authorities seem to be using them as a pretext to continue reducing space for Tibetan Buddhists to practice their faith during this holy month," the US-based group said.

Meanwhile, Penpa Tsering, the next president of the Tibetan government in exile said on Saturday that the China have no role in choosing the next Dalai Lama, especially since its communist leaders don’t even believe in religion whereas the succession of the Tibetan spiritual leader is a deeply religious matter,  Tsering is hopeful the strong bipartisan and bicameral support of the US for the Tibet issue would continue under the Biden administration. Tsering’s remarks came against the backdrop of China’s insistence that the choice of the next Dalai Lama has to be decided within Chinese territory and that there should be no interference in the matter by India or any foreign organisation.