Govt takes over Gyuto Monastery property

The process for change of title in the government’s name was done by Tehsildar (Dharamsala) Naresh Kumar in an open assembly at Sidhbari,where the monastery is located. Last week,the tehsildar had sent a communication to the Karmapa’s office,informing it about the process of the property transfer and the date.

“It was a smooth affair and took little over half-an-hour. The Tibetan administration was represented by Randhir Rana,a local advocate,who also did not oppose the transfer process,” Kumar told The Indian Express.

Earlier in the day,Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal,who is camping in Dharamsala,said: “Mutation of the property in the state government’s name is a legal process. The government officials were only acting within their powers to apply law. It’s a routine process and we have not singled out any particular person or religion.”

Kangra Deputy Commissioner R S Gupta confirmed that the tehsildar has completed the exercise as per law and the property is now vested to the state government. He recalled that the Tibetan central administration had itself given a list of some properties in 2008,which were reportedly results of benami deals.

“Gyuto Monastery was one of these properties,where the revenue authorities have acted,though belatedly. I admit there has been a delay but the action can’t be linked to the controversy relating to seizure of the foreign currency from the Monastery,” Gupta clarified.

He added that there was no move to get physical possession of the monastery or dislodge the Karmapa from there.