The Karmapa Is Not…

On 26 January two Indians were arrested with a large amount of cash, which led to the raid on the room of Karmapa’s monk accountant in Gyuto near Dharamsala. Gyalwa Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, the 17^th Gyalwa Karmapa and the spiritual leader of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The police seized foreign currencies, including a large amount of Indian rupees, which has become a feast of sorts for the Indian media. Instead of presenting well-researched news, various media channels sought comfort in eye-catching headlines and unsubstantiated allegations. Some of the headlines read:
 

Tibetan Karmapa a Chinese Agent in Himachal

Foreign money seized at Dalai Lama heir’s home

Karmapa may be Chinese agent

11 lakh yuan link: Karmapa may be a Chinese plant

Journalism, in general, has become rampant and trite in recent years: in India this disease has percolated throughout the media. The fundamental principle of balanced, intelligent and analytical reporting is being overshadowed by lurid, headline-grabbing and too often irresponsible news presentation. This is a dangerous development in a democracy, where the media has the key role to play.

It is a complex issue, and to some extent an eye-catching controversy — a young, charismatic religious leader and the seizure of a large amount of currencies. However, it requires a proper understanding of the nature and culture of guru-chela relationships. None of the media outlets conducted background researches or interviewed the concerned people to find out what the problems were. The line between reporting facts and expressing opinions blurred — and the facts were wrongly presented. For example, a reporter of a reputed news channel said, “The third highest spiritual leader, the 17^th Karmapa, has been caught with illegal currencies worth 3 crores rupees...[and] that Karmapa could well be a Chinese spy.”

The issue of the high Tibetan lamas’ moral authority and their roles as unofficial community leaders and initiators in India’s border regions, has been totally ignored all journalists. Buddhists in the Himalayan belt automatically turn to the lamas for help and advice on both religious and secular matters. Their wisdom and spiritual advice provides communal harmony and stability. This is, perhaps, worth more for India’s national security than posting thousands of soldiers. The media has also ignored the importance of Tibet in India’s long-term geopolitical interests.

In their struggle for survival in the cut-throat market to enhance TRP and attract advertisements, the media has opted for overblown sensationalism. The derogatory for this “yellow journalism.” The basic ethics of news reporting is lost in the process. In the present context, the story presented may be of financial irregularity, lack of transparency or possession of foreign currencies by the management of Karmapa’s transit refuge, in which case the law will take its course. As the Dalai Lama commented, 'Better now that a through investigation happens. Such inquiry is good.''

However, the media — instead of providing unbiased and objective news — has libeled the Gyalwa Karmapa to create sensations and exaggerate the case. This has forced even the Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, to remark, "Investigations are underway in Karmapa case. No conclusion drawn whether he is a Chinese agent or not."

Incidentally, the media’s blowing up a situation is not without precedent. During the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the terrorists and their deadly assaults were treated like a reality show, each channel competing to dramatize the situation. The intelligence opportunities the live coverage provided to the attackers, the obstruction created to the security personnel, and the impact on victims’ relatives were ignored by the media.

The most important point that today’s journalism misses is: Who provides more threat to India’s national security — the Karmapa or China? Since his escape from Tibet, during which he dodged spies, army checkpoints and travelled by foot, car and horseback, Karmapa has been engaging in spiritual affairs and in his study. He has stayed clear of politics and his every movement is overseen by the Indian government. However, on the other hand, the Chinese military have made numerous incursions into Indian border regions and are reportedly building roads. Beijing also provides covert support and arms to major insurgent groups in India’s Northeast and the Maoist belt. The mainstream media reports on these bullish Chinese actions are scanty, non-investigative and inconclusive, to say the least.

Tibetan refugees have always placed enormous faith in the Indian democracy and the free press. In fact, it can be said that the survival of Tibetan issue and the exile community depends much on India’s democratic institutions — including the media. Hence, while reporting on any infringement of the Indian law by individual Tibetans, the media must uphold its ethics and act as the Fourth Pillar of the biggest democratic country in the world.

But for now, the media’s portrayal of this current issue has made the young Gyalwa Karmapa, who is a spiritual guru to millions of Indians in the Himalayan region and devotees around the world, a persona non grata in India. The negative collateral impact may be felt for years to come.