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Washington, D.C. (May 26, 2008). The Hindu American Foundation condemned the Chinese government’s decision to withhold visas for Hindus attempting to make the traditional summer pilgrimage to Tibet. Beginning in June, some five to six thousand Hindus from Nepal and India journey to the 22,000-foot Mount Kailash in the Himalayas and nearby Lake Mansarovar annually. Mt. Kailash is believed by Hindus to be the abode of God as Shiva and considered one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is also a place of pilgrimage for Jains and Buddhists.
Beijing retracted permission for travel visas to Tibetan sites from Nepal. India’s foreign ministry stated that the Chinese government provided unspecified “domestic reasons” as justification. Tour operators and pilgrims believe the visas were cancelled due to demonstrations in Tibet that began in March. The annual visits are a critical source of revenue for many Tibetans, and HAF described the Chinese decision as a punishment meted out to Tibetans on the backs of Hindu pilgrims.
“China's policies in Tibet and rejection of His Holiness the Dalia Lama are clear violations of fundamental human rights, and Hindu pilgrims have never fomented instability in Tibet during their visits," stated Ishanaa Rambachan, Executive Council Member. "Pilgrimage is an ancient and important Hindu form of worship, and this restriction is unfortunate because it affects the ability of Hindus to exercise a religious choice.”
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