As opposed to the allegations leveled against Prachanda-led government, rural municipality chairman representing the UML is found to have sent a letter to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu seeking financial assistance for opening a Buddhist college at Phalek in Mustang district.
Rinzin Namgyal Gurung, the chairman of Varagung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality, who was elected from the UML, requested the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to provide financial assistance on behalf of the Sakya Buddhist Association around three and a half months ago.
"It's my humble request for financial support from your government to materialize this historic project for the benefit of the whole Monastic community of Mustang and neighboring districts such as Dolpa, Manang, and many local and foreign students," reads the letter dated November 22, 2022 and addressed to Karun Bansal, Deputy Secretary of Indian Embassy, Kathmandu.
Currently, the Ministry of Finance is studying the letter sent by the Indian Embassy seeking approval of Rs 703.3 million in donation for the establishment of Buddhist College at Phalek in Mustang.
Talking to Nepalkhabar, Chairman Gurung on Sunday, accepted to have sent a letter to the Indian Embassy for financial assistance.
"I made a recommendation seeking financial assistance," said Chairman Gurung.
The elections for the House of Representatives and Province Assembly had been held on November 21 last year while the letter was sent to the Indian Embassy on November 22. Maoist Center Chairman Prachanda had been appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal on December 25.
Not only the chairman but also Deputy Chairperson Dhiki Gurung is also elected from the UML.
UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli made serious allegations against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' after Kantipur Daily published a news report on Thursday stating that India is making preparations to establish a Buddhist college in the prohibited zone in Mustang. Oli alleged that Prime Minister Prachanda has permitted India to build a college to conspire against China.
"Building a university in Mustang is nothing but an attack on nationalism and a treason against friendly neighbor China, and reviving the 2031 uprising on a large scale," said Oli.
In 2031 BS, a Tibetan insurgent Wangdi had started an uprising from Mustang against China. Wangdi who revolted against China with the help of the CIA was shot dead by the Nepali Army while fleeing to India.
Alleging that Mustang is being made a playground for foreigners in the name of the university, Oli said, "This is very dangerous." "Establishing a university where there are no people means only those hired for a certain purpose will live there," added Oli.
Varagung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality chairman Gurung said on Sunday:
Have you sent a letter to the Indian Embassy asking for financial assistance to open a university in Mustang?
Not university, maybe college, plus two colleges. The Sakya Buddhist Association knows about this. Representatives of the Association came to the municipality and asked me to send a letter to the Indian Embassy seeking financial help to build a college here. They said that they have got a piece of land with a land ownership certificate in Phalek. Based on that, I made a recommendation.
Before sending the letter to the embassy, was there a discussion with the top leaders of the party?
The Sakya Buddhist Association submitted an application seeking a recommendation. Locals here have to either go to Tibet or reach India to study Plus 2. The Association requested that the monks produced from three municipalities should be kept here. The purpose of educational development should be supported by the municipality.
Has India helped Mustang elsewhere?
Yes, India has provided financial assistance in the construction of monasteries in various places in Mustang. India has also supported similar educational institutions.
How did you verify that the land ownership certificate of that land is correct?
We checked the land ownership certificate. While checking, it was found that the land was in the name of the person. However, it is not clear whether it was bought or donated.
According to the officials of the Ministry of Finance, although the Chairman of Varagung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality has sent a letter to the Indian Embassy regarding the opening of a Buddhist college by the Mustang Buddhist Association, the agreement has not been reached.
An official of the ministry said the embassy is ready to provide assistance, but the ministry has not approved this proposal.
"A letter from the Indian embassy has come to the ministry asking for financial support for the establishment of a Buddhist college in Mustang", the official of the Ministry of Finance told Nepalkhabar. Now the project is under consideration," said the official, "The Ministry of Finance has also demanded that the assistance received by the Nepal government should be included in the budgetary system."
According to another official, after the rural municipality chairman sent a written proposal, the Indian embassy has already responded that it is ready to provide assistance.
"If the government does not want to stop, this agreement will be done soon", he said.
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(Rinzin Namgyal Gurung, Chairman of Varagung Muktikshetra Rural Municipality of Mustang, has openly said in this interview that he has sent a letter to the Indian Embassy asking for financial support to establish a Buddhist Sakya College in Phalek area. Upon further verifying the issue after this report was published, a high-level source at the Indian Embassy confirmed to Nepalkhabar that the letter had been received. But the embassy has refused to release the original copy of the letter citing sensitivity and the draft of the letter published by us has been questioned, so it has been removed - editor)
