Cancellation of IATS seminar sparks dispute
Summary
The International Association for Tibetan Studies seminar scheduled in Nepal from August 23 to 29 has been cancelled after organisers said the Nepali government asked them not to proceed. The decision has sparked concern among academics, while the government denies issuing any official cancellation order.
Key Points
- The IATS seminar, planned for Dhulikhel and Kathmandu from August 23 to 29, was indefinitely cancelled after organisers said the Nepali government requested it be stopped.
- Professor Sagar R Sharma said Kathmandu University had been instructed not to proceed, and responsibility for further decisions has been handed to the IATS board.
- The cancellation has upset academics who say it sends a damaging message to the global scholarly community, especially after participants from 40 countries had prepared to attend.
- The government, through OPMCM spokesperson Hemraj Aryal, denied issuing any directive and said the organisers appear to have made the decision themselves.
