Dalai Lama's visit to Maha Kumbh cancelled due to security reasons

The president of the VHP's Kashi branch said: "The Dalai Lama's three-day tour, which was to begin today, has been cancelled as the necessary security clearance could not be obtained from the Uttar Pradesh government."

He continued: "The Dalai Lama was expected to inaugurate a Lama Nagar, situated inside our camp, where Buddhist literature and Tibetan artefacts will be on display. The Lama Nagar will be inaugurated, in presence of our patron Ashok Singhal, by Buddhist monks who had arrived a few days earlier." The state government has refused to comment.