Butwal. Singer Ani Choying Dolma, known for the song 'Phool ko Aankhaama Phoolai Sansar, Kandako Aankhaama Kandaai Sansar', has faced widespread protest following her appointment as the Vice Chairperson of the Lumbini Development Trust. Strong dissatisfaction has emerged regarding her appointment, even in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.
The government appointed Ani as the Vice Chairperson of the Trust on October 16. The Lumbini Bachau Mahabhiyan has protested her appointment. The issue of Ani's citizenship is currently the most debated topic.
The government appointed Ani Choying Dolma as Vice Chairperson approximately 5 months after calling for applications for the appointment of officials to the Lumbini Development Trust. The Mahabhiyan has expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the appointment was made from outside the applicant pool, rather than from among those who applied for the position. Protests against the appointment are also ongoing from other sectors.
Ram Vikas Chaudhary, spokesperson for the Lumbini Bachau Mahabhiyan, told Ratopati that they have been continuously protesting since a controversial individual was appointed to the Vice Chairperson post of the Lumbini Development Trust, which had been vacant for five months. According to him, the Mahabhiyan has consistently demanded that individuals with historical contributions to the conservation and development of Lumbini, or their descendants, should be given opportunities to lead the Trust. He stated that priority should be given to descendants of families who donated 1,155 bighas of land for Lumbini and communities that have contributed to the conservation of Lumbini's tangible and intangible heritage.
Chaudhary claimed that the issue of Ani Choying Dolma's citizenship is controversial and that appointing her without resolving this is wrong. He expressed concern that an appointment made without officially resolving the citizenship issue could set a wrong precedent in other government bodies. 'If applications are called for, and hundreds are encouraged to apply, but the appointment is made from outside the application process, what is the justification for seeking applications?' Chaudhary questioned.
He accused the appointments in the Lumbini Development Trust of not being transparent and lawful, demanding that the government make the appointment decisions public, answer the questions raised, and resolve the controversial issues. Chaudhary stated that the campaign has made the conservation and development of Lumbini, transparency of the Development Trust, and accountability in public appointments its main issues. According to him, a protest rally has been held in Lumbini against the appointment.
He mentioned that the movement will continue until the government reverses its decision, and stated that public protests and other strategies will be used to exert pressure in the coming days.
What are the issues of controversy?
Questions have been raised about her nationality based on the details mentioned in Ani Choying Dolma's autobiography 'Phool ko Aankhaama'. Ram Vikas Chaudhary, spokesperson for the Lumbini Bachau Mahabhiyan, claimed that the issues mentioned in Ani's own book raise questions about whether she is a Nepali citizen or not.
It is claimed that the book states on the sixth page that 'Bhotia blood' flows from her parents, but she considers herself Nepali. Based on this statement, a demand has been raised for an investigation into her citizenship.
The Rastriya Genji Nagarik Abhiyan has demanded the cancellation of Ani's appointment, citing the issue under investigation by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation and the citizenship dispute.
Questions have also been raised about the process of issuing her citizenship. It is claimed that locals from the village mentioned in her citizenship documents have stated they do not know her, and written documents have been sent to the administration. It is claimed that Praman Singh Lama, son of Kanchha Bahadur Lama, whose death led to Ani obtaining citizenship, has given a statement. He reportedly claimed that he has no family relationship with Ani.
Lumbini resident and advocate Dinesh Tripathi has demanded an impartial investigation into the questions raised about Ani's citizenship and source of income. Accusing her of obtaining citizenship by descent based on false information, he has drawn the government's attention to the need to proceed with the investigation into the citizenship complaint.
Akram Khan, coordinator of the Lumbini Bachau Mahabhiyan, accused the name of Buddha and the holy land of Lumbini of being used for political and personal gain. He clarified that they are protesting against Ani's appointment and even warned that she would not be allowed to enter Lumbini. He stated that programs ranging from boycotting Ani to prohibiting her entry would be carried out.
Ram Niwas Yadav, chairman of the Kapilvastu Tilaurakot Sangharsha Samiti, demanded that officials of the Lumbini Development Trust be selected through a transparent process based on merit.
Meanwhile, Dr. Haridhwoj Rai, Information Officer of the Lumbini Development Trust, stated that he has not received any formal information about Ani coming to Lumbini immediately to work as Vice Chairperson.
'Although I am aware that there is a protest outside regarding the appointment of the Vice Chairperson, no formal information has been received by the Development Trust about it,' Rai told
