Kathmandu, Oct 26: The National Gen Z Citizens’ Campaign has announced a peaceful protest at Maitighar Mandala on Monday against the government’s appointment of Buddhist nun Ani Choying Dolma as vice chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the campaign’s central committee objected to the Cabinet decision taken on October 16 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.
The campaign said allegations concerning citizenship forgery and money laundering involving Ani Choying Dolma, also known as Choying Dolma Lama Moktan, require impartial investigation. It has demanded that the government clarify the legal basis and justification for her appointment and make the relevant details public.
The group has scheduled the protest for 11 am on Monday at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu. It has called on Gen Z activists, Buddhist followers, civil society members, concerned stakeholders and journalists to join the demonstration.
The appointment has drawn opposition from groups calling for scrutiny of the government’s decision and the allegations surrounding the appointee. The campaign has argued that the questions raised about her background should be addressed through a fair investigation.
The Lumbini Development Trust oversees the conservation, management and development of Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha and a major Buddhist pilgrimage site recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its leadership plays a role in managing religious heritage, tourism infrastructure and development projects in the area.
Ani Choying is widely known as a Buddhist nun and singer who has helped popularise Buddhist devotional music internationally. The controversy over her appointment has brought renewed attention to the process through which the government selects officials for institutions responsible for Nepal’s religious and cultural heritage.
The allegations cited by the campaign remain allegations, and an impartial investigation would be needed to establish the facts.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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