Under clear blue skies, rugged peaks and the spectacular Potala Palace, one image is ubiquitous in Tibet's capital city Lhasa: portraits of Chinese President Xi Jinping and fellow leaders. 
 
In a rare and tightly chaperoned government tour of the region last week, a Reuters journalist saw the portraits in classrooms, streets, religious institutions, houses, and the bedroom of a Buddhist monk. 
 
More than a dozen other reporters were also on the trip. 
 
China is broadening a political education campaign as it celebrates the 70th anniversary of its control over Tibet. 
 
Chinese officials say the campaign is key to the future of Tibet, a region which makes up over 12% of China's land mass but is home to just 3.5 million people, mostly ethnic Tibetans. 
 
Civilians and religious figures who the government arranged to be interviewed on the five-day trip pledged loyalty to the Communist Party and Xi. 
 
Asked who his spiritual leader was, a monk at Lhasa's historic Jokhang temple named Xi. 
 
"I'm not drunk ... I speak freely to you," said the monk named Lhakpa, speaking from a courtyard overlooked by security cameras and government observers. 
 
The portraits of Xi were visible at almost all sites visited by Reuters during the trip to Tibet, where journalists are banned from entering outside of such tours. It was not clear when the posters and flags were put up. 
 
"The posters coincide with a massive political education programme which is called 'feeling gratitude to the party' education," said Robert Barnett, a Tibetan studies veteran scholar at the University of London`s School of Oriental and African Studies. 
 
China's foreign ministry said: "Tibet`s economy and society has made great achievements under the care of China's central government and the strong support of every Chinese person. 
 
"The right to religious freedom of all ethnic groups in Tibet are protected by the Constitution and the law." 
 
During the visit, government officials suggested that such images, along with small Chinese flags that lined many city streets, were a sign of the "patriotic feeling" in Tibet. 
 
Beijing says it "peacefully liberated" Tibet in 1951, after Chinese troops entered the then-country and took over its administration. 
 
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, and has since established a government in exile based in Dharamsala, India. 
 
Beijing has labeled him a dangerous separatist and has said when he passes away the government will select its own successor. 
 
Reuters did not see any images of the Dalai Lama, previously common in homes throughout Tibet, on the trip from May 31 to June 5. 
 
Photos of the spiritual leader are now strictly banned, according to rights groups and Tibetans who have since left the region. 
 
The foreign ministry repeated China`s position that the Dalai Lama was "attempting to separate Tibet from China." 
 
"Since Dalai defected, he has not done anything good for the Tibetan people," said Fan Chunwen, the secretary for Tibet’s Department of Education. 
 
In Tibet's College of Buddhism, a major religious training school on the outskirts of Lhasa, Chinese flags flew atop temples and images of Xi featured prominently in every dorm and classroom visited by Reuters. 
 
"We are under the leadership of the Communist Party now, of course, we must learn about politics," said Kelsang Wandui, vice director of the college. 
 
Around 40% of the school's study programme was dedicated to political and cultural education, Wandui said, adding the monks will celebrate the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Communist Party on July 1. 
 
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the name of the exiled Tibetan government which oversees up to 150,000 Tibetans in exile, said the "political re-education campaign has been reinvigorated to Sinicize Tibet." 
 
Beijing has consistently strongly denied any accusations of rights abuses in Tibet, and says people in China are free to practice approved religions, including Buddhism. 
 
In a Lhasa high school political ideology class visited by Reuters, a teacher preached the benefits of China`s policy in Tibet and led them in chants of agreement. 
 
"Our young people must cherish the party, listen to the party and be guided by the party and be loyal to our beautiful new Tibet," said Wang Zhen, Director of the Department of Education in Tibet.

Under clear blue skies, rugged peaks and the spectacular Potala Palace, one image is ubiquitous in Tibet's capital city Lhasa: portraits of Chinese President Xi Jinping and fellow leaders.

Under clear blue skies, rugged peaks and the spectacular Potala Palace, one image is ubiquitous in Tibet's capital city Lhasa: portraits of Chinese President Xi Jinping and fellow leaders. In a rare and tightly chaperoned government tour of the region last week, a Reuters journalist saw the portraits in classrooms, streets, religious institutions, houses, and the bedroom of a Buddhist monk. More than a dozen other reporters were also on the trip. China is broadening a political education campaign as it celebrates the 70th anniversary of its control over Tibet. Chinese officials say the campaign is key to the future of Tibet, a region which makes up over 12% of China's land mass but is home to just 3.5 million people, mostly ethnic Tibetans. Civilians and religious figures who the government arranged to be interviewed on the five-day trip pledged loyalty to the Communist Party and Xi. Asked who his spiritual leader was, a monk at Lhasa's historic Jokhang temple named Xi. "I'm not drunk ... I speak freely to you," said the monk named Lhakpa, speaking from a courtyard overlooked by security cameras and government observers. The portraits of Xi were visible at almost all sites visited by Reuters during the trip to Tibet, where journalists are banned from entering outside of such tours. It was not clear when the posters and flags were put up. "The posters coincide with a massive political education programme which is called 'feeling gratitude to the party' education," said Robert Barnett, a Tibetan studies veteran scholar at the University of London`s School of Oriental and African Studies. China's foreign ministry said: "Tibet`s economy and society has made great achievements under the care of China's central government and the strong support of every Chinese person. "The right to religious freedom of all ethnic groups in Tibet are protected by the Constitution and the law." During the visit, government officials suggested that such images, along with small Chinese flags that lined many city streets, were a sign of the "patriotic feeling" in Tibet. Beijing says it "peacefully liberated" Tibet in 1951, after Chinese troops entered the then-country and took over its administration. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, and has since established a government in exile based in Dharamsala, India. Beijing has labeled him a dangerous separatist and has said when he passes away the government will select its own successor. Reuters did not see any images of the Dalai Lama, previously common in homes throughout Tibet, on the trip from May 31 to June 5. Photos of the spiritual leader are now strictly banned, according to rights groups and Tibetans who have since left the region. The foreign ministry repeated China`s position that the Dalai Lama was "attempting to separate Tibet from China." "Since Dalai defected, he has not done anything good for the Tibetan people," said Fan Chunwen, the secretary for Tibet’s Department of Education. In Tibet's College of Buddhism, a major religious training school on the outskirts of Lhasa, Chinese flags flew atop temples and images of Xi featured prominently in every dorm and classroom visited by Reuters. "We are under the leadership of the Communist Party now, of course, we must learn about politics," said Kelsang Wandui, vice director of the college. Around 40% of the school's study programme was dedicated to political and cultural education, Wandui said, adding the monks will celebrate the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Communist Party on July 1. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the name of the exiled Tibetan government which oversees up to 150,000 Tibetans in exile, said the "political re-education campaign has been reinvigorated to Sinicize Tibet." Beijing has consistently strongly denied any accusations of rights abuses in Tibet, and says people in China are free to practice approved religions, including Buddhism. In a Lhasa high school political ideology class visited by Reuters, a teacher preached the benefits of China`s policy in Tibet and led them in chants of agreement. "Our young people must cherish the party, listen to the party and be guided by the party and be loyal to our beautiful new Tibet," said Wang Zhen, Director of the Department of Education in Tibet.

'Xi Jinping is my spiritual leader': China's education drive in Tibet

According to reports, self-styled guru and Hindu spiritual leader Bhaiyyuji Maharaj allegedly shot himself today. He was rushed to Indore's Bombay Hospital where he was declared dead.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, as per reports, a revolver has been found at Maharaj's Indore residence along with a suicide note that mentions that he was leading a "stressful" life. Investigations are underway, more details are awaited.&nbsp;

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Visuals from Bhayyuji Maharaj's residence in Indore. DIG Harinarayanchari Mishra says, 'we have seized the suicide note. In the suicide note, he has mentioned mental tension but the reason for the tension is not known as yet. We are investigating the case.' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadhyaPradesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadhyaPradesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/f6gyHeKDVz">pic.twitter.com/f6gyHeKDVz</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1006491893423747072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Maharaj, along with four other religious leaders, was accorded the 'Minister of State' (MoS) status in April by the BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

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Suicide note & pistol have been seized. All aspects of the case are being investigated. Family members will also be questioned: Inspector General of Police Makrand Deoskar on Bhayyuji Maharaj's alleged suicide <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadhyaPradesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadhyaPradesh</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1006489190064742400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On March 31, these five religious leaders were appointed to a committee set up for the conservation of the Narmada river.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MadhyaPradesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MadhyaPradesh</a>: Spiritual leader Bhayyuji Maharaj allegedly shoots himself, admitted to Bombay hospital in Indore. (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/G0LoNaNfih">pic.twitter.com/G0LoNaNfih</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1006462411191152640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Assembly elections are due in the state this year, and main opposition Congress dubbed the decision as an attempt by the BJP to exploit the respect these religious leaders enjoy in the society.

Born in 1968 in a family of agriculturists at Shujalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Bhaiyyu Maharaj was invited by Modi when he undertook 'sadbhavna fast' as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

In 2011, the then UPA government had deputed him as a mediator to persuade social activist Anna Hazare to call off his fast at the Ramlila ground in Delhi over the Lokpal issue.

Last year, the self-proclaimed spiritual guru courted controversy on his wedding day after a woman, who claimed to be an actress, accused him of "cheating" on her and termed him a "trickster".

Bhaiyyu Maharaj married Dr Ayushi Sharma, a native of Shivpuri, in Indore last year, a year after announcing his intention to take 'sanyas' from public life.

Maharaj, along with four other religious leaders, was accorded the 'Minister of State' (MoS) status in April by the BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh

According to reports, self-styled guru and Hindu spiritual leader Bhaiyyuji Maharaj allegedly shot himself today. He was rushed to Indore's Bombay Hospital where he was declared dead. Meanwhile, as per reports, a revolver has been found at Maharaj's Indore residence along with a suicide note that mentions that he was leading a "stressful" life. Investigations are underway, more details are awaited. Visuals from Bhayyuji Maharaj's residence in Indore. DIG Harinarayanchari Mishra says, 'we have seized the suicide note. In the suicide note, he has mentioned mental tension but the reason for the tension is not known as yet. We are investigating the case.' #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/f6gyHeKDVz — ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2018 × Maharaj, along with four other religious leaders, was accorded the 'Minister of State' (MoS) status in April by the BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh. Suicide note & pistol have been seized. All aspects of the case are being investigated. Family members will also be questioned: Inspector General of Police Makrand Deoskar on Bhayyuji Maharaj's alleged suicide #MadhyaPradesh — ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2018 × On March 31, these five religious leaders were appointed to a committee set up for the conservation of the Narmada river. #MadhyaPradesh: Spiritual leader Bhayyuji Maharaj allegedly shoots himself, admitted to Bombay hospital in Indore. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/G0LoNaNfih — ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2018 × Assembly elections are due in the state this year, and main opposition Congress dubbed the decision as an attempt by the BJP to exploit the respect these religious leaders enjoy in the society. Born in 1968 in a family of agriculturists at Shujalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Bhaiyyu Maharaj was invited by Modi when he undertook 'sadbhavna fast' as Chief Minister of Gujarat. In 2011, the then UPA government had deputed him as a mediator to persuade social activist Anna Hazare to call off his fast at the Ramlila ground in Delhi over the Lokpal issue. Last year, the self-proclaimed spiritual guru courted controversy on his wedding day after a woman, who claimed to be an actress, accused him of "cheating" on her and termed him a "trickster". Bhaiyyu Maharaj married Dr Ayushi Sharma, a native of Shivpuri, in Indore last year, a year after announcing his intention to take 'sanyas' from public life.

Spiritual leader turned minister Bhaiyyuji Maharaj shoots self

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has asked the CBI to conduct an urgent raid in all ashrams of spiritual leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/head-of-rohini-ashram-where-girls-were-abused-faces-delhi-high-court-wrath-27458" target="_blank">Virendra Dev Dikshit</a>.

She has asked the CBI to conduct an urgent raid without any delay to counter the &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/more-girls-rescued-from-delhi-rohini-ashram-27535" target="_blank">human trafficking racket</a>&quot; that might be running in many of his ashrams.&nbsp;

&quot;It appears that Baba Virender Dev Dixit is running a human trafficking racket. The CBI should urgently and simultaneously conduct raids at all ashrams of Dikshit across India and close them down. By delaying the raids, he is getting time to cover up his action,&quot; she said.

The DCW chief on Monday visited two more ashrams of Virendra Dev Dikshit&nbsp;at Karawal Nagar and Nangloi.

She was accompanied by Ajay Verma, an advocate who has been appointed as amicus curiae by the Delhi High Court.

The DCW chief found six women in the Karwai Nagar centre. She said that some of them seemed to be minors.&nbsp;

In Nangloi Ashram she had&nbsp;found 10-15 women.

She also said that the locals in both the places&nbsp;had told them that prior to their visit &quot;many girls&quot; were &quot;removed from the ashram&quot;.

She said that the condition of the ashrams in these places was similar to that of previously visited ashrams.&nbsp;

&quot;This ashram is similar to those in Vijay Vihar, Rohini and others -- full of locked structures.&nbsp;

She said that the DCW has requested the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to interact with these minors and find out more information from them. She has also requested the concerned CWC to shift them to shelter homes and ensure counselling.&nbsp;

The ashram is owned by self-styled&nbsp;godman Baba Virendra Dev.&nbsp;

According to media&nbsp;reports, Baba Virendra Dev Dikshit considers himself to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna. He had the obsession of surrounding&nbsp;himself with 16,000 women, to match the belief that Lord Krishna had the same&nbsp;number of wives.

The Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya ashram had illegally confined minor girls and women in &quot;animal-like&nbsp;conditions&quot;.

The court initiated a probe in the ashram after a PIL was filed by NGO foundation for Social Empowerment informing that several minors and women were illegally confined.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has asked the CBI to conduct an urgent raid in all ashrams of self-styled godman Virendra Dev Dikshit without any delay to counter the 'human trafficking racket' that might be running in many of his ashrams?

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has asked the CBI to conduct an urgent raid in all ashrams of spiritual leader Virendra Dev Dikshit. She has asked the CBI to conduct an urgent raid without any delay to counter the "human trafficking racket" that might be running in many of his ashrams. "It appears that Baba Virender Dev Dixit is running a human trafficking racket. The CBI should urgently and simultaneously conduct raids at all ashrams of Dikshit across India and close them down. By delaying the raids, he is getting time to cover up his action," she said. The DCW chief on Monday visited two more ashrams of Virendra Dev Dikshit at Karawal Nagar and Nangloi. She was accompanied by Ajay Verma, an advocate who has been appointed as amicus curiae by the Delhi High Court. The DCW chief found six women in the Karwai Nagar centre. She said that some of them seemed to be minors. In Nangloi Ashram she had found 10-15 women. She also said that the locals in both the places had told them that prior to their visit "many girls" were "removed from the ashram". She said that the condition of the ashrams in these places was similar to that of previously visited ashrams. "This ashram is similar to those in Vijay Vihar, Rohini and others -- full of locked structures. She said that the DCW has requested the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to interact with these minors and find out more information from them. She has also requested the concerned CWC to shift them to shelter homes and ensure counselling. The ashram is owned by self-styled godman Baba Virendra Dev. According to media reports, Baba Virendra Dev Dikshit considers himself to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna. He had the obsession of surrounding himself with 16,000 women, to match the belief that Lord Krishna had the same number of wives. The Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya ashram had illegally confined minor girls and women in "animal-like conditions". The court initiated a probe in the ashram after a PIL was filed by NGO foundation for Social Empowerment informing that several minors and women were illegally confined.

DCW chief suspects human trafficking in ashram, asks CBI to conduct raid

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