Kolkata: The Dalai Lama today termed as
"quite routine" the Chinese objections to India allowing him a
platform to air his views, saying they consider him as a
"demon" even though his position now is "semi-retired".
Ignoring Beijing's reservations, West Bengal Governor M K
Narayanan was present at a programme on Mother Teresa, which
was addressed by the Tibetan spiritual leader.
When asked about the Chinese consulate's letter to the
state government to ensure that the CM and Governor did not
attend the programme, Narayanan retorted, "What do you expect
me to do about it? If they have written to the Chief
secretary. They have written."
When a newsman pointed out that the Chinese consulate has
objected to his visit here, Dalai Lama said, "This is quite
routine. From their point of view it is also logical. Some
Chinese officials consider me as a demon. They raise every
objection."
Asked if he expected this kind of reaction from the
Chinese government, he quipped, "I have faced this before. I
don't want to comment on the letter from the Chinese
consulate."
"This year in March I formally, officially handed over
the political leadership. I am no longer a leader of political
administration. So, I don't like to politicise my visit here,"
he remarked.
While China treats the Tibetan spiritual leader as
persona non grata, New Delhi has maintained that he is
respectable religious leader and in a democratic country there
is no restriction on freedom of speech.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could not attend the
programme as her mother was in a critical condition, according
to Trinamool Congress MP Derek O' Brien.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, December 01, 2011, 15:10