New Delhi:
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama visit to Arunachal Pradesh sparked row between India and China with a series of verbal duel between the countries.
The issue featured in the Lok Sabha debate on Friday with a member from the state saying Beijing has no business to tell India what it should do or not do in the context of its “guest”.
The issue was raised by Ninong Ering, Congress member from Arunachal Pradesh.
“North East is a sensitive area. China lays its claim on Arunachal Pradesh. Who is China to tell what Centre (India) should do or what state should do and what state should not do,” he said.
He was speaking on a private member bill which sought amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
“Dalai Lama is a friend of ours. He is our guest. He has taken refuge (in India). We recognise him as leader of Tibetan Council,” Ering said.
Also read: Dalai Lama not primary problem in Sino-India relations in long run: Ex-Chinese diplomat
He also raised the issue of the children of North East facing discrimination and said that “we need to have stringnet laws.”
Speaking on the bill, Jitendra Choudhury (CPM) said the issue of extension of Sixth schedule to other states including Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam of the North East has been pending for long.
The government had said the bill to amend Sixth Schedule would be introduced in 2015 but it is yet to see light of the day, he rued.
The Constitution of India makes special provisions for the administration of the tribal-dominated areas in four states namely Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Vincent Pala of the Congress had moved the bill to further amend the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India in its application to constitution of District Councils and powers of the District Councils and Regional Councils.
The amendment through the bill is aimed at providing shield to tribals and help in their upliftment of their livelihood, he said, adding, Adivasis have been left behind in journey of development.
“Adivasis were the first ones to raise their voice against the British rule even before Sepoy mutiny and the country should recognise their effort in preserving ecosystem of the country,” he said.
There are 12 crore Adivasis in the country and everyone needs protection, he said.
