Indian Biker Detained in Bhutan for Climbing Atop Buddhist Stupa

Abhijit Hazare was part of a 15-bike convoy headed by a Bhutanese team leader.

Indian biker Abhijit Ratan Hazare has been detained by the Royal Bhutan Police.

(Photo Courtesy: Tenzing Lamsang/Altered by The Quint)

An Indian biker, Abhijit Ratan Hazare, has been detained by the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) for standing on the National Memorial Chorten in Dochula. A chorten is also called a stupa, and it is an important religious monument in Buddhism, symbolising Buddha's presence.

Hazare, who hails from Maharashtra, has been called for questioning on Friday, 18 October, The Bhutanese reported from their official Twitter handle.

He was part of a 15-bike convoy headed by a Bhutanese team leader. The incident took place when the bikers were taking a break at Dochula and the team leader was reportedly arranging parking for bikes.

The Indian biker came across an alleged Bhutanese carpenter Jambay, who was up on a ladder doing repair works on the Chortens.

Jambay reportedly allowed Hazare to climb the ladder. The RBP are in the process of tracking Jambay down.

The team leader was apparently unaware of the incident, The Bhutanese stated on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Hazare's passport has been taken the RBP who are launching its investigation on Friday.

Tenzing Lamsung, the Editor of The Bhutanese took to Twitter and said, “This is one of the many reasons why Bhutan needs to regulate mass regional tourism.”

(With inputs from The Bhutanese)