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Kathmandu Tuesday February 19, 2002 Falgun 07, 2058.
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Border
harassment
On Jan 14, we left for
Bodhgaya on a pilgrimage with about three hundred Monks to attend Kalchakra puja. While
travelling Nepali authorities gave us no trouble at all. But once we reached the Indian
border we were harassed by Indian police and authorities. Though we produced all our
necessary documents we were asked to pay thousand rupees in every check post inside India.
The Indian government talks about fighting against terrorism. This type of corruption and
unnecessary harassment of devotees is also a kind of terrorism. There were several reports
regarding such incidents in the past but the Indian government has not taken any action.
If they can harass priests, monks and nuns, just imagine how they will treat innocent
Nepalese and tourists. Even though the Indian government and its people (from rags to
riches) get millions of dollars from pilgrims and tourists, there has been continuous
harassment by the Indian police and authorities. What happens if we treat Indians in the
same way in Nepal or abroad? Forget about the ill treatment, even if the Indians are taken
for legal investigation, the Indian leaders put pressure on our Prime Minister, while the
Nepalese get tortured and killed in India. Our leaders do not dare to stand against Delhi.
Will the Indian authorities ever wake up to check these ills and bring peace and win
understanding and faith from its neighbours? If not all, some Clauses of the 950 treaty
between India and Nepal should be reviewed. Unfortunately, New Delhi doesn’t want to
change this. This is because the treaty is in favour of India.
Daven Chhetri
Boudha, Kathmandu |
