Election Commission Orders Guthi Sansthan to Reinstate Bhupatibajra Lama as Head Lama

Kathmandu. The Election Commission has decided to reinstate Shri Bhupatibajra Lama, the incarnate spiritual leader of the Shri Baudha and Melamchi Ghyang Guthi, to his previous post and has corresponded with the Guthi Sansthan to inform them of this decision by office hours on Magh 27.

Law Officer Mohanraj Joshi informed that this correspondence was made following the Commission's decision on Sunday. The Sansthan had decided on Magh 9 to remove the Chief Lama Bhupatibajra Lama of the Shri Baudha and Melamchi Ghyang Guthi from his post. The Sansthan had sought clarification from Chief Lama Bhupatibajra Lama on Magh 4, the very day the election code of conduct came into effect.

Lama had filed a complaint with the Commission on Magh 13 against the Sansthan's decision, alleging he was removed in violation of the election code of conduct. After the Commission sought clarification from the Sansthan and found the response unsatisfactory, it decided to correspond with the Sansthan to reinstate Lama to his previous position.

The Commission's letter mentions that the Sansthan's decision on Magh 9 to remove the Chinese Lama serving as the spiritual leader Rinpoche and proceed with the process as per Clause 2 of the Procedure for Lama Appointment, 2078, was not based on the report of the subcommittee formed on Poush 23 for investigating the land of the Baudha and Melamchi Ghyang Guthi.

The Commission decided to reinstate the Lama to his previous post because the Sansthan's decision of Magh 9 did not appear factual, just, or in line with the principles of cleanliness and impartiality of the election. Janak Pokharel, the information officer for the Sansthan, also admitted to receiving the Commission's letter on Sunday, stating that they were instructed to maintain the status quo for the Lama of the Baudha and Melamchi Ghyang Guthi.