The reality about the Buddhist college plan in area close to China

The government on Sunday refuted the statement of former prime minister and UML chair KP Sharma Oli.

The government, issuing a statement, said that the government had not decided on the establishment of a Buddhist University in Mustang District, a district that borders Tibet of China.

“Claims about the government permitting a varsity in Mustang’s Baragung Muktikshetra Village Council is delusional. We hereby also announce that the Government of Nepal hasn’t made any such decisions,” government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma stated in a release.

The government has also expressed serious concern saying that such remarks could affect the country’s foreign relations. “It is not appropriate to speak in a way that affects the country’s foreign policy,” said the statement.

The former prime minister Oli on Saturday had fiercely criticised the government for “harming relations with China” by planning to establish a Buddhist college, with Indian aid.

“In order to turn the country into a playground for foreigners, the government is allowing India to open a Buddhist college in Mustang,” Oli said. “This plan is an attack on the country’s sovereignty.”

Oli, while he came to the defence of China, on Saturday critisized Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” and India accusing the Prime Minister Dahal of betraying China by accepting India’s proposal to open a Buddhist college in the restricted area of Mustang for supposedly trying to make the country a playground of foreign powers.

Mustang Sakya Buddha Sangh also refutes Oli’s statement

Similarly, the Mustang Sakya Buddha Sangh, who took the initiative to open the college, arranged land for it and then requested the Indian side via the government of Nepal, has also claimed that India has no interest in the Buddhist college.

According to the Sangh, the matter of receiving financial assistance from the Indian Embassy for the construction work of the Buddhist College established in Mustang is fabricated, misleading and untrue.

Issuing a statement, the Sangh said, “The college is aimed at Buddhist monks and nuns who are interested in studying Buddhist philosophy from Mustang region and anywhere in Nepal without targeting the study of any foreign students.” This project is not a university as said by the former Prime Minister and UML Chair, KP Sharma Oli, but is focused only on building construction work for the Mustang Buddhist College which was established two years ago and there is no diplomatic or strategic interest of the Government of India in this project.”

The Sakya Buddhist sangh also clarifies that “various donors were searched and asked for help from many. A proposal for assistance was also sent to the Indian Embassy and we would like to inform everyone that the Indian Embassy is ready to provide financial support”.

Similarly the statement also stated that the college building site the Barha Gaun Mukti Chettra Rural Municipality-5 is not a restricted area and  the land has been voluntarily donated by 4-5 local education lovers and religious people.

Also UML’s leader questioned Chair Oli

A UML leader too questioned the statement made by UML Chair KP Sharma Oli about the establishment of a Buddhist University in Mustang District.

UML leader Indra Dhara Bista of Mustang, a former member of the Gandaki Province Assembly, through social media has refuted Oli’s statement about the Buddhist University. Leader Bista said that not a Buddhist university, but only a place for higher education in Buddhist philosophy is being established in Mustang.

He said that the efforts made by the Sakya Buddha Sangh have received an assurance of support from the Indian Embassy but the process has yet to be completed.

Stating that they felt uncomfortable with Oli’s statement, Bista said that his statement raised questions and also added a challenge to the future of UML in Mustang .

UML’s Gurung sent a letter to the Indian Embassy

It has been revealed that the Varagung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality Chair, Ringjin Namgel Gurung had written a letter to the Indian Embassy asking for financial support for the establishment of a Buddhist college in Mustang.

Gurung, the elected Chairman from CPN-UML, admitted on Sunday that he had sent a letter to the Indian Embassy asking for help.