Former PM Jhalanath Khanal Criticizes Balen Government for Allowing Dalai Lama Activities

Kathmandu. Former Prime Minister and senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) Jhalanath Khanal has stated that the Balen government has shown shamelessness by allowing activities related to the Dalai Lama for the first time in Nepal's history. 

Issuing a press note, leader Khanal expressed objection to the Balendra government allowing the birthday celebration of the separatist leader Dalai Lama, who fled China in 1959 and took refuge abroad, against Nepal's established One China Policy. 

"By allowing the program to be held at Namgyal Lower Secondary School in Swayambhu, an anti-national act has been committed that disrupts the harmonious relations between Nepal and China since the establishment of diplomatic relations," said former Prime Minister Khanal.  

He also termed the presence of the American, French, European Union, and Australian ambassadors at the program as extremely serious and objectionable. 

"We are not unaware that Western powers are engaged in an internal conspiracy to make Nepal a stronghold against China and turn Nepal into Ukraine," Khanal said, "No one has the right to use our land against our neighbors. All Nepali people strongly condemn this anti-national and pro-imperialist policy of the Balen government." Stating that the general Nepali public has been firmly standing in favor of the One China Policy, Khanal said that Nepal wants to develop harmonious and constructive relations with both neighbors, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of India. 

While it may be in the interest of the West to burden the country with trillions of debt from the World Bank and ADB, it will not be in the interest of Nepal and the Nepali people, Khanal warned the Balen government to understand this in time, adding that the Nepali people do not want to see their homeland become a battlefield for conflict. 

"It would be good for the Balendra government to remember that the Nepali people have uprooted governments they elected when they acted against the people's interests," Khanal said, "The Nepali people want to strengthen relations with neighboring China and deepen cooperation with China! This will be in the immediate and long-term interest of Nepal and the Nepali people."