(TibetanReview.net, May25’24) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that he talked frequently with the Dalai Lama in his May 24 election speech in Mandi constituency, which covers almost two-thirds of the state of Himachal Pradesh, reported the IANS news service May 24. The state votes on Jun 1 to elect four members to the Lok Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament.
Modi’s BJP and the Congress are the main rivals for all the four seats. The BJP candidate for the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency seat is the well-known Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut. Soon after her nomination for contesting the seat, Ranaut called on the Dalai Lama on Apr 15, accompanied by the state’s former BJP Chief minister Jairam Ramesh Thakur. She called her experience of the meeting “very emotional”, and something she will “cherish all my life.”
Meanwhile, in his election speech in Mandi, Modi has said, “India is the country of Buddha and the Modi government has vigorously promoted this heritage,” while highlighting places of Buddhism in the state.
Modi’s remarks came after reports that the actress was shown black flags at the Buddhist-dominated Kaza in Lahaul and Spiti. It was reported as a protest against her for what was seen as a critical online Tweet on the Tibetan spiritual leader by her in Apr 2023, although the actress later apologised after protests and said it was meant to be a harmless joke and that she respected the Dalai Lama.
Referring to that episode, the Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh on May 22 targeted Ranaut, saying, “People of the tribal area worship Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama as their God and if someone passes any remarks against their God, they will surely not like it and protest,” reported thew PTI new agency May 22.
The report cited Ranaut as saying the Congress was behind the protest against her at Kaza.
The Mandi constituency seat includes Kullu, Mandi and some areas of Chamba and Shimla districts, besides the tribal-dominated Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti, which are dominated by Buddhists.
Interestingly, Modi’s assertion came just hours after the state’s Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu made a courtesy call on the Dalai Lama, said the IANS report said.
Sukhu sought blessings from the Dalai Lama, who praised the state and India’s religious respect, reported the PTI May 24.
The report also said around 800 Tibetan exiles had registered as voters in this election.