Kathmandu, July 7: The Communist government in Nepal, which is rapidly coming under the influence of neighbouring China, has toed the latter's line by refusing permission to the Tibetan diaspora for celebrating the birthday of Dalai Lama. The revered spiritual guru turned 84-year-old on Saturday.

Nearly 20,000 Tibetans living in the country's capital - Kathmandu - had sought the government's permission to carry out public celebrations on the day to celebrate the Dalai Lama's birthday. The administration turned down their plea citing law and order fears. Dalai Lama Apologises For 'Attractive Woman Successor' Remark, Clarifies His Stand on Refugees

Kathmandu's assistant district administrator Krishna Bahadur Katuwal, while speaking to reporters, said there was suspicion that anti-social elements would had infiltrated into the birthday celebrations and created ruckus. Possibility of self-immolations by anti-China protesters could also not be ruled out, he said.

Members of the Tibetan diaspora had earlier confirmed that birthday celebrations were underway and a grand parade would be taken out in Kathmandu. However, the plans were dropped after the administration unexpectedly turned down their plea.

Although Nepal has sighted law and order concerns, experts have linked their decision to the influence being exerted by China over the past few years.

Since 2015, Nepal's condition with India partially soured -- though the two countries are all-weather allies -- and improved with China which dropped massive aide during the Gorkha earthquake.

China has, on several occasions, marked dissent against neighbours in South Asia region for allowing Tibetans to stage anti-Beijing demonstrations.

The country has also marked its dissent against India for sheltering the Dalai Lama since 1959, when he escaped Tibet following a failed armed uprising against the Chinese rule.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 07, 2019 03:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).