Why India Chose JDU's Lalan Singh As Special Envoy For Dalai Lama's Birthday
Singh's selection is being seen as a carefully calibrated move, especially given his deep ties to Bihar, a state that holds immense historical and spiritual importance in Buddhism
It came as no surprise to many when Union minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, a practising Buddhist himself, attended the 90th birthday celebrations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. He was joined by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao in a clear show of solidarity from the state that is most closely linked to the Tibetan Buddhist movement in India.
While initial political chatter suggested that Union culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat might be named India's official envoy to the event, the government instead announced Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, for the role—a choice that raised some eyebrows but carries deep strategic and cultural symbolism.
Singh's selection is being seen as a carefully calibrated move, especially given his deep ties to Bihar, a state that holds immense historical and spiritual importance in Buddhism.
Bihar is home to Nalanda, the seat of ancient Buddhist learning, which His Holiness has often cited as the cornerstone of India's Buddhist heritage. He has repeatedly spoken of the need to revive the Nalanda tradition and the spirit of interfaith dialogue it once fostered where diverse spiritual traditions exchanged knowledge and promoted harmony.
Nalanda is also the home turf of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the state itself derives its name from 'viharas" or Buddhist monasteries. Ancient texts in Pali literature refer extensively to Nalanda as a flourishing centre of pilgrimage, visited by both the Buddha and Mahavira, and later a celebrated global university.
Sources in the know say that the decision to send a prominent JD(U) leader like Lalan Singh, just months ahead of the upcoming Bihar elections, is a clear political signal. 'It's a strong message from the Modi government. Here nothing is ever done without deep thought," a senior source told CNN-News18.
Adding another layer to the symbolism, Singh hails from Gaya—a city of great reverence for Buddhists. It was in Bodh Gaya that Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, making the region a cornerstone of Buddhist pilgrimage globally.
Another insider said, 'Representation on platforms like this is never random. Every decision carries layers of meaning in the message Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to convey — both to India and the world."
Following the Tibetan uprising in 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama has lived in India in exile since 1960. He turned 90 on July 6, and the celebrations in Dharamsala were marked by the presence of spiritual devotees, political leaders, and global celebrities alike, including Hollywood actor and long-time supporter Richard Gere, who sought the blessings of His Holiness.
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