Buddhist Monk's peace march for construction of monastery in Kargil; local Muslims oppose construction

New Delhi, Jun 14: A Buddhist monk has started a march from Leh on May 31, that is to conclude today (Jun 14) in Kargil. The march aims to lay foundation stone of the construction of a monastery at a site in Kargil., that the local Muslims are objecting against.

 

 

 

 

Buddhist Monk, the 8th Choskyong Palga Rinpoche started the journey along with his followers on May 31 to reach the site in Kargil where he aims to lay the foundation of construction of a monastery. He aims at laying the stone of a monastery at a controversial site in Kargil, a muslim dominant area. Some members of the Muslim community have already raised objections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to Op India, the march is facing opposition from local Muslims as it is in support of the construction of Gompa (Buddhist Monastery) on a 2-Kanal land that was allocated to the minority Buddhist community by the govt of Jammu and Kashmir in 1961. During the meeting on Jun 11, Ladakh Buddhist Association (Kargil) held a meeting, along with all members of the Buddhist community.

 

During the meeting, they condemned the provocative and threatening speeches and statements made against the proposed Monastery by Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT), Kargil, and Islamia School, Kargil. In a statement, LBA said, “Everyone strongly condemned the provocative and threatening speeches given by IKMT, Kargil and Islamia School, Kargil heads which were purely done with an intention to provoke common people and the youths in order to disrupt the peaceful environment as well as create a Law and Order situation in Union Territory of Ladakh.” To this the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) responded with a letter to the Deputy Commissioner stating that the march was politically motivated and could disturb communal harmony in Ladakh. Op India quotes LBA Chief Skarma Dadul saying, “We don’t want to create any tension, but it is our right to have a proper place of worship.”