Authorities in Nepal have rejected the Tibetan community’s request to celebrate the 84th birthday of the Dalai Lama.
According to reports, the Tibetan community in Nepal had to cancel their preparations for the celebration of the spiritual leader’s birthday on Sunday.
The denial on the part of Nepal was obviously prompted by its close ‘proximity’ to China, which regards the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist.
Notably, there are around 20,000 Tibetans residing in Nepal.
Nepal is a natural buffer between China and India and is considered by New Delhi as its natural ally, but China is also making inroads by pouring aid and infrastructure investment into what is one of the world’s 10 poorest countries.
The Dalai Lama turned 84 on Saturday and his followers in Nepal had hoped to celebrate the occasion in the capital, Kathmandu, but the communist government rejected their request.
The Dalai Lama fled to India in early 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.
The Nepal administration cited security reasons behind denial of permission of celebration of the Dalai Lama’s birthday.