Chinese soldiers, civilians protested in Ladakh against India celebrating the Dalai Lama’s birthday on July 6

Amid continuing tension at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a group of Chinese soldiers and civilians recently protested in Ladakh against India celebrating the Dalai Lama’s birthday. 

The incident took place on July 6 at about 11.00 AM and the group of about 40-odd Chinese people returned to their bases after displaying banners written in Mandarin, sources said here on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated the Dalai Lama on his 86th birthday on July 6. This was the first time that Modi had publicly confirmed speaking with the Dalai Lama since he became the Prime Minister in 2014.

In a tweet, Modi said, “Spoke on phone to His Holiness the @Dalai Lama to convey greetings on his 86th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life.”

A similar incident had taken place in 2019 also when some Indian villagers were celebrating the Tibetan spiritual leader’s birthday.  A large group of Chinese soldiers and civilians had gathered on their side of the LAC to register their protest against the celebrations. Their banners reportedly said: “Ban all activity to split Tibet.” In the latest incident, some Chinese soldiers and civilians came on the other side of the Sindu River in the Demchok region of Ladakh and displayed banners and a Chinese flag.

The group came in five to six vehicles and raised banners near the village community centre where the Dalai Lama’s birthday was being celebrated. This development came at a time when stand-offs are on at three friction points in Eastern Ladakh for the last one year.