By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, December 21: His Holiness the Dalai Lama will continue to avail no-frisking privilege at airports after the government decided to continue granting him exemption from frisking at airports across the country.
“The External Affairs Ministry has informed us that the Dalai Lama will continue to get no-frisking privileges at airports. In a way, they have rejected our proposal of a review on continuing with the spiritual leader’s no-frisking privileges,” a Ministry of Civil Aviation official told The Economics Times on condition of anonymity.
According to the official, the civil aviation ministry was informed about the rejection in a letter dated December 14.
Currently there are 32 categories of people exempted from frisking including present and former presidents and vice presidents, prime minister, Union cabinet ministers, State and UTs’ CMs and their deputies, governors, leader of opposition, Supreme Court judges, high court chief justices, ambassadors and SPG protectees.
However, the external affairs ministry did not give any specific reason for continuing the privilege to the Tibetan spiritual leader who has been the ‘longest guest of India’. “There is no reason but a letter saying we will continue providing him privileges,” said the official.
The Tibetan spiritual leader is currently in Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement giving teachings on the 18 Great Stages of the Path (Lam Rim) Commentaries at the newly inaugurated Assembly Hall of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.
The Lam Rim teachings will conclude on December 29 followed by a two-day initiation of 16 Drops of Kadam (kadam tikle chudruk wang) on December 30-31 and a Long Life prayer offering on the New Year’s Day.
