‘Leftists act at behest of China’

TAWANG (Arunachal Pradesh): Describing Arunachal Pradesh as “an integral part of India”, Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh on Monday criticised the Left leaders for supporting China during India-China war in 1962. “Left leaders obstructed recent nuclear deal with the US at the behest of China,” he said.

Left leaders also opposed India’s decision to give asylum to Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama, Singh said while addressing a gathering at the ongoing 8th ‘Buddha Mahotsava’ here.

Talking about Buddhist culture, the SP leader said people of North India have virtually forgotten Buddha, while people of Arunachal, Ladakh, Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Hong Kong have taken refuge in Buddhism.

Even US president George Bush and many other international figures admire Buddha, he added.

Praising Khandu for honouring Dalai Lama at the risk of his chair when Congress was in power at the centre with the support of Left parties, the SP leader suggested MNS chief Raj Thakeray to learn from Khandu and stop atrocities on people belonging from the places of Buddha’s birth and enlightenment.

Alleging Left parties for deviating from socialist ideology, the SP leader referred veteran socialist Ram Manohar Lohia’s stands against China during India-China war. Lohia criticised China for attacking India and opposed the accession of Tibet but Left supported China, he said.