In a significant display of cross-party unity, Indian lawmakers are advocating for the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, to be awarded to the Dalai Lama. This move is accompanied by a push to allow the spiritual leader to address a joint session of Parliament, a proposition that is likely to elicit a strong reaction from China.

The initiative is spearheaded by the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet, which includes Members of Parliament (MPs) from various parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Janata Dal (United). During its second meeting this month, the forum adopted resolutions in support of conferring the Bharat Ratna on the Dalai Lama and permitting him to address the Parliament.

Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar, a prominent figure in the campaign, mentioned that a signature campaign has been launched to support the Bharat Ratna nomination of the Dalai Lama. According to Kumar, the forum has garnered the support of approximately 80 MPs and aims to reach 100 signatures before submitting the memorandum to the Prime Minister and the President. He also noted that the initiative has received enthusiastic support from MPs across party lines, including those in the opposition. Many MPs have signed the memorandum and have also sent video messages expressing their support.

The forum intends to formally request the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha speakers to convene a joint parliamentary session for the Dalai Lama to address the members. This proposition and the broader campaign occur as the Dalai Lama approaches his 90th birthday. Celebrations were held at the Tsuglagkhang Temple in Dharamshala, attended by numerous followers, dignitaries from India and abroad, including Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh.

The Dalai Lama, who has resided in exile in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959, recently addressed the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution, clarifying that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the authority to recognize his reincarnation. This statement was seen as a direct response to external attempts to interfere in Tibetan spiritual affairs.

Members of the forum, including BJP MPs Ashok Bajpai, Lahar Singh Siroya, Vinay Dinu Tendulkar, Tapir Gao, and Rajendra Agrawal, have voiced strong opposition to China's interference in the spiritual succession of the Dalai Lama. Arunachal Pradesh MP Tapir Gao proposed a mass rally to raise public awareness and support for Tibet and suggested that the Dalai Lama address the Central Hall of Parliament on themes of peace and compassion. The forum has also lauded the pro-Tibet bill passed by the U.S. Congress and is advocating for similar legislation in the Indian Parliament.

This renewed political engagement with the Tibetan cause is expected to test India's diplomatic balance with China. The Chinese embassy has previously expressed concerns and opposition to Indian MPs supporting Tibetan groups. Despite these potential diplomatic challenges, the initiative reflects a growing sentiment among Indian lawmakers to recognize the Dalai Lama's contributions to peace, spirituality, and humanity. Some analysts believe that awarding the Bharat Ratna could signal a shift in India's Tibet policy from a humanitarian approach to a more political one.