Dalai Lama’s 91st Birthday Celebrated in Kathmandu with More Than 1,000 Attendees and Foreign Diplomatic Representatives

Dragon Media News Desk

A religious and cultural programme marking the 91st birthday of Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was held on Monday at Namgyal School in Swayambhu, Kathmandu. The event took place within the restrictions set by the District Security Committee and drew a large gathering of members of the Tibetan community, Buddhist monks, foreign guests and other participants.

According to the European Pressphoto Agency, more than 1,000 people attended the programme, including diplomatic representatives, human rights activists, members of the Tibetan community and other supporters. Previously unpublished video obtained by Dragon Media also shows hundreds of people gathered inside the school compound, with most seats at the venue occupied.

Photographs obtained by Dragon Media show foreign guests seated in the front row wearing ceremonial khatas and guest badges. A source associated with the programme said representatives of American and European diplomatic missions were among those present. However, neither the organisers nor the respective embassies have released an official list of participants, leaving their names, positions and formal capacity of attendance independently unconfirmed.

Preliminary information had suggested that around 30 representatives from foreign diplomatic missions in Kathmandu had been invited. That figure referred only to the estimated number of invited diplomatic officials, not the total number of participants. No official details have been released on how many ambassadors, acting ambassadors or other diplomatic personnel ultimately attended.

Buddhist monks performed traditional prayers, offerings and religious rituals before a portrait of the Dalai Lama. The photographs and video show the event being conducted with ceremonial khatas, religious objects, traditional decorations and cultural presentations.

No political slogans, street processions, protest activities or anti-China banners are visible in the available footage. The programme remained confined to the school compound, and there has been no confirmed report of any major political activity outside the venue.

Administrative uncertainty had continued until Sunday night over whether the programme would be permitted. Police had informed the organisers that prior approval from the District Administration Office was required. Although they were initially told that separate permission might not be necessary, police later insisted that the event could not proceed without formal authorization, prompting a meeting of the District Security Committee even on a public holiday.

The committee, chaired by Kathmandu Chief District Officer Ishwar Raj Poudel, reviewed the security situation, the expected number of participants and the nature of the programme before allowing the religious and cultural event to be held inside the school premises.

The organisers were reportedly instructed not to hold street marches, public assemblies, slogan-chanting, political speeches, poster displays or activities beyond the approved programme. Security personnel were also directed to remain alert to any possible “Free Tibet” activity.

Public reports about Sunday’s decision had contained some differences. One account said formal permission had been granted, while another stated that only limited religious activities inside a school or private compound would be allowed. The programme as it unfolded on Monday indicates that the authorities did not impose a complete ban but instead granted tightly controlled permission under close security monitoring.

Security personnel were deployed around Namgyal School and the wider Swayambhu area during the programme. The material obtained by Dragon Media shows no sign of police intervention, clashes, arrests or disruption. The event appears to have concluded peacefully within the approved limits.

The attendance of foreign diplomatic representatives is considered diplomatically sensitive. Nepal officially recognizes Tibet as an integral part of China and remains committed to the one-China policy. The government has also repeatedly stated that Nepali territory will not be allowed to be used for activities directed against China.

For this reason, public programmes involving the Tibetan community in Nepal are closely monitored in relation to religious freedom, public security and foreign-policy sensitivities. Authorities have maintained that a clear distinction must be preserved between religious and cultural activities and events of a political nature.

Although a large number of people attended the Namgyal School programme, keeping it within the school compound suggests that the understanding between the organisers and the administration was implemented. The organisers were allowed to conduct religious rituals and birthday observances, while the authorities prevented any outside procession or political activity.

The Kathmandu event coincided with the main celebration of the Dalai Lama’s 91st birthday in Leh, Ladakh, India. According to the Dalai Lama’s official office, he personally attended the programme held at the Shewatsel teaching ground. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended birthday greetings, praising the Dalai Lama’s message of peace and harmony.

The 14th Dalai Lama, born on July 6, 1935, turned 91 on Monday. A year-long programme launched to mark his 90th birthday concluded on July 5, followed by the formal celebration of his 91st birthday.

The Kathmandu District Administration Office, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not released a detailed official statement following the event. Foreign diplomatic missions have also not publicly confirmed the participation of their representatives. No formal reaction from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu or the Chinese government has been independently confirmed.

Based on available news reports, international photo records and the photographs and video obtained by Dragon Media, the programme at Namgyal School was attended by more than 1,000 people, included foreign diplomatic representatives and concluded peacefully under tight security within a religious and cultural framework.