LBA protests against visit of Prof Labh
Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, May, 7: Serving ultimatum to the UT administration to fulfill various demands of Ladakh region by May ending, Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) president, Thupstan Chhewang announced to sit on indefinite protest from June 1 if their demands are not fulfilled.
LBA is demanding bringing of anti-conversion law in Ladakh to maintain the communal harmony, construction of Buddhist Monastery in Kargil and recruitment process issues and CIBS issue.
This announcement was made today at KBR Airport while protesting against Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) Vice Chancellor’s visit to Ladakh who was scheduled to revisit Leh today after assuming the charge of in charge VC of CIBS but he did not turn up.
Raising slogans CIBS VC, members of LBA led by Thupstan Chhewang, All Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA) president, Shatup Chamba and angry students from CIBS staged a protest at KBR Airport. Holding banners amid chanting slogan ‘Go Back Prof Labh’ the agitators burnt his effigy.
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Prof Baidyanath Labh, who is the VC of Nav Nalanda University Mahavihara was assigned the charge VC of CIBS reportedly took number of decision on his first visit to Leh, without consulting the Managing Committee Board LBA & LGA.
Talking to media at the KBR Airport, Thupstan Chhewang in strong words said that “Prof Labh will not be allowed to enter Leh as VC of CIBS as he had been trying his best to destroy CIBS. However he can visit Leh as a citizen of the nation adding the CIBS is the soul of every Buddhist community of Himalayan region and we will not allow to destroy it at any cost. He alleged that that VC took number of decisions regarding CIBS without consulting the Board members which clearly showed that he has vested interest in destroying CIBS.
He said that Prof Labh was trying to start new courses in CIBS which was not required at all as other colleges and University of Ladakh fulfill all subject requirements to study other courses and CIBS sole motto is to safeguard the Buddhist tradition, culture & heritage. He added that CIBS was established by then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawarlal Nehru on the request of late Kushok Bakula Rinpoche to protect and safeguard the Naland Tradition of Buddhist and VC must be a Buddhist scholar having concern about Buddhism. “Prof Labh intention was very clear from the fact that he took number of decision against the CIBS norms to destroy the Buddhist Institution and we don’t understand whether the decision is from him or from the direction of Government” said Thupstan.
He also alleged that UT administration, Hill Council and MP Ladakh failed to solve CIBS issue and completely ignored the demands. He added that all demands are made within the limits of Indian Constitution. He warned to start agitation in entire Ladakh if the UT administration continues to ignore the demands.
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