Government backtracks, allows cremation of late Rinpoche in Nepal
Gunaraj Luitel Kathmandu, July 28Finally, the government has given permission for holding the last rites of late Shamarpa Rinpoche in the country.
Earlier, the government had stated that it can’t give permission for the cremation of a foreign national in Nepal. Guru Shamar Rinpoche, 62, died of a heart attack in Germany on June 11.
"The body will be brought to Kathmandu tomorrow," said Dr Ramesh Dhungel, one of the activisits demanding that the government allow the Buddhists to perform his last rites in Nepal. The government feared that the event may trigger anti-China demonstrations in Nepal. "All the required documents are being prepared to allow his followers to bring the body to Kudung," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Bamdev Gautam in his capacity of home minister declined to let the followers of the late Rinpoche to bring his body to Nepal. The Rinpoche's followers and activisits had requested Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to reverse the government's earlier decision.
Then, PM Koirala directed the authorities to let the Buddhists perform his last rites in Nepal.
"We are yet to take a formal decision," said a senior government official. Government officials have prepared a proposal in this regard, which will be tabled in the cabinet meeting Tuesday morning.
"The proposal will be tabled in the cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning," said an activist. "There are preparations at Raniban for the after-death rituals of the guru."
It was stated that the government declined to allow the last rites of the Rinpoche in Nepal under pressure from China. But, China was silent on the issue saying it was an internal issue of Nepal.
His body had been taken to Kalingpong following the refual of Nepal government to permit his last rites in Nepal.
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