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Patna,(BiharTimes): The Chairman of the Mentor Group of Nalanda International University Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen said that religious studies could be imparted without the involvement of religious leaders.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday after the Mentor Group meeting he said Dalai Lama is heading a religion and being religiously active might not be the same as being an appropriate person for religious studies.

Amartya Sen’s reply came after newsmen pointed out towards the omission of Dalai Lama from the project.

Sen said that there is a distinction between religion and divinity school. Sen’s view assumed significance as Dalai Lama’s omission has something to do with “respecting China’s sensibilities”.

The Nalanda International University project is being piloted by the Ministry of External Affairs. The East Asian Summit, a block of 16 countries, including China, are supporting the project.

According to Amartya Sen the proposed University would have international collaboration with old universities including Al-Azhar University of Cairo (Egypt), Oxford and Cambridge in UK and Harvard in US. It will have a crucial partnership with China.

The University will comprise schools like Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Literature, Historical Studies, Ecology and Environmental Studeies. Certain job oriented programmes will also be offered here.
The Ministry of External Affairs has prepared a Bill, which is expected to be passed during the ongoing monsoon session. This will enable the setting up of the Nalanda University at Rajgir. After the passing of the Nalanda University Bill, the work for the establishment of the university will start.

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