The International Campaign for Tibet reported (April 3) that a Member of Parliament from Nepal’s Communist Party, Khaga Raj Adhikari, asserted at a public event that the use of the khata in Nepal “hurt the feelings of the Chinese people,” connecting it to Tibet issue and giving political color to a fundamentally spiritual and cultural tradition. Adhikari is a former Minister who echoes China’s position in Nepal that “pro-Tibet” activities “hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.” Reacting to his comments, the Buddhist community, under the banner of the Nepal Buddhist Federation, held large demonstrations by people from different ethnic groups, including monks and laypeople, to challenge Adhikari and called for the protection of their tradition.
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