There is a new development just hours after the abolishment of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir by the Indian government and the move to turn Ladakh into a separate union territory. Reportedly, the Chinese government has delayed granting visas to a group of Indians, who planned to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the next batch.
This may or may not be a strategic move on the part of China to express its displeasure on the Ladakh matter. Reportedly, China asked India and Pakistan to refrain from actions that "unilaterally" change the status quo and worsen strife between the two countries. China also voiced its disappointment at India’s decision to turn Ladakh into a union territory.
In a statement, the spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hua Chunying, said that China has always been against India's inclusion of Chinese territory in the western part of the Indo-China border within its administrative control. Their stand is fixed, stable and unchanging. Chunying further added that the unilateral revision of country laws by the Indian government has been affecting China's territorial dominion, which is not permissible.
For background: Usually, Indian citizens have a tough time getting into China, and can’t get into Tibet at all unless it is for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage to the mountain Kailash, the vedic abode of Shiva, and the lake of Mansarovar. Kailash is one of the holiest sites in Hinduism, and the holiest site for the Shaivist denomination of Hinduism, China delaying these visas over political matters would be like KSA denying Iranis Hajj pilgrimage due to their political differences. Kailash and Mansarovar are also holy to Buddhists and Jains. While it is a delay for now, pilgrims will be missing the most auspicious time to make the pilgrimage during the Hindu month of Shravan, and it is possible China could be outright denying these visas. So, what is NSG’s opinion on this action by China?
I think China has gone too far on this one, first of all, they are illegally occupying Tibet anyways, but now they are denying devoted Hindus from completing one of life’s most important goals, a pilgrimage to Kailash is said to bring one’s Karma up and boost the process of reaching Brahman. China has been fucking petty regarding their involvement in Kashmir anyways (It was an India-Pakistan issue before they got involved), but now they’ve just gone too fucking far, by delaying a religious pilgrimage.