Govt. of India National Commission for Minorities Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi-3

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1 Govt. of India National Commission for Minorities Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi-3 Petitioner: Prof. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, Director, Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh (J&K). Respondents: Prof. Ved Prakash, Chairman, University Grants Commission, Shri Ashok Thakur, Secretary, Dept. of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi. File No. B/JK/10/0035/11 Date of Hearing: 15 th September, 2014 The Bench of the NCM consisted of: i. Shri Naseem Ahmad, Chairperson ii. Shri Ajaib Singh, iii. Shri T.N. Shanoo, iv. Prof. Farida Abdulla Khan, v. Ms. Mabel Rebello, 2. The Secretary and Legal Officer, NCM assisted the Bench. Brief record of hearing held in the Conference Room of the National Commission for Minorities on at A.M. 3. Present: I. Petitioner- Prof. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, Director, Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh (J&K). II On Behalf of Respondents- Prof. (Dr.) Jaspal S Sandhu, Secretary, University Grants Commission Shri. R.P. Sisodia Jt. Secretary, Dept. of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi.

2 The University Grants Commission (UGC) vide their letter dated issued by Deputy Secretary, UGC, informed that Prof.(Dr.) Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Secretary, UGC will attend the hearing. The request was acceded to by the Commission. 4. The Petitioner Prof. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, Director, Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh submitted that prior to 1950 Buddhist monks used to go Tibet for learning higher Buddhist Philosophy. However, after Chinese aggression in 1950 on Tibet, the Buddhists stopped going there and under the changed circumstances, the Institute was established in 1959 at Leh. The Institute (CIBS) was affiliated with Sanskrit University, Varanasi in 1963 and since then it has been imparting Buddhist Philosophy/ Studies in Bhoti language. The Institute has separate campus for school and college. The Institute has three hostels, one for monks, one for boys and one for girls and there are about 350 students residing in hostels. He further stated that MoA as directed by UGC has been sent to UGC. Only certificate from the National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC) is required, which is expected very soon. 5. Shri Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Secretary, UGC informed that as soon as the Accreditation Certificate is received from the NAAC, the process of granting status of deemed university under de-novo category to CIBS would start. The UGC is aware that there has been some delay but it would be ensured that, unless there are some extraordinary circumstances, the demanded status to the Institute is granted. Shri R.P. Sisodia, Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development stated that the Department has forwarded the proposal submitted by the Institute for conferment of deemed to be university status under de-novo category to the UGC on for examination and recommendation as per the provisions of the UGC Regulations, However, the Ministry has not received any recommendation from UGC so far. He further informed that UGC vide its letter dated addressed to CIBS pointed out certain formalities to be completed by the Institute such as NAAC accreditation, revised MoA/rules as per 2014 Amendments in the UGC Regulations, Once the required documents are received, an Expert Committee would be

3 Discussion: constituted to recommend whether the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies is an Institution in emerging areas of knowledge in conformity with the policy of the Commission. 6. The petitioner replied that the revised proposal as required by the UGC has been sent to them. He also submitted that the Institute is the only seat of higher education in Buddhists Philosophy and learning in the region and one of the oldest Institutes. The demand of the Institute is lying pending since long from He further submitted that the Institute of Buddhist Studies at Sarnath established subsequent to CIBS, Leh has been granted deemed University status but CIBS has been denied the same despite meeting all the requirements. 7. The Commission put to Shri Jaspal Sandhu that why there was a delay from 2008 when the Institute submitted complete proposal as required and directed by the UGC. Shri Sandhu informed that in the summoning letter, there was no mention of 2008 and, therefore, they could not study the older files. However, Shri Sandhu and Shri Sisodia submitted that after receiving the Accreditation Certificate issued by NAAC, the process would be immediately initiated and an Expert Committee would be constituted to visit the Institute and give a report. Decision Notice: 8. The Commission, after hearing the parties, remarked that the CIBS was the only seat of learning for the Buddhists Studies in the region and fulfilling the criteria for granting the status of deemed University under de-novo category. The decision has been pending since 2008 when the Institute has complied all the conditions directed by the UGC. The Institute s demand has become more relevant in as much as the Institute of Tibetan Studies at Sarnath, which was established subsequent to the CIBS, Leh, was granted the status of a deemed University and denying the same status to the CIBS would send a wrong message to the Buddhist population in the region which is very strategically situated. The Commission strongly recommend that an early and positive action would fulfil the long pending and genuine demand of the

4 Buddhists. The Commission would appreciate early and positive action from the respondents, so that this long pending issue gets finally settled. (Naseem Ahmad) Chairman (Ajaib Singh) (Prof. Farida Abdulla Khan) (T.N. Shanoo) (Mabel Rebello) Authenticated true copy. Additional copies of order shall be supplied on application. (M.A. Khan) Legal Officer

Resume of a discussion with His Holiness The Dalai Lama on the morning of April 6, 1959.

Resume of a discussion with His Holiness The Dalai Lama on the morning of April 6, 1959. I mentioned to the Dalai Lama that I had brought a message of welcome from the Prime Minister for him and that it