Tibetans in Gangtok marked the 91st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with celebrations, but also used the occasion to highlight growing threats to Tibetan identity, religion, and culture under Chinese rule. The event was attended by Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay, Palden Dhondup, Home Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), State Ministers, and MLAs. CM Golay inaugurated a community center for Tibetans in Gangtok, which will also serve the residents of Chandmari in Gangtok.
Palden Dhondup, Home Minister of the CTA, expressed his happiness at the gathering of representatives from different communities and religions, reflecting the spirit of compassion. However, he also noted that the celebrations came at a difficult time for Tibetans due to China’s policies aimed at assimilating minority communities. Dhondup described the recent self-immolation of Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen outside the United Nations headquarters in the United States as deeply saddening.
Dhondup reiterated the Dalai Lama’s commitment to non-violence, stating that the Tibetan leader has always advocated for non-violence and does not support violence. He also emphasized that the self-immolations were a desperate attempt to draw the attention of the international community to the plight of the Tibetan people. Tenzing Tsephel, Coordinator of the North East Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), said that Tibetan youth living in exile considered themselves the voice of Tibetans inside Tibet, who are unable to speak freely.
He expressed concerns about China’s ethnic policy, which requires Tibetan children to attend boarding schools where Mandarin is the compulsory language, resulting in children becoming disconnected from their language, culture, and traditions. Tshering Wangchuk, Chairman of the Local Tibetan Assembly, Gangtok, said that the recent self-immolation reflected the frustration felt by many Tibetans over China’s continued policies towards Tibet. He emphasized that these policies are against Tibetan culture and the preservation of their language, traditions, and identity.
Wangchuk added that the Tibetan people need support from the international community, governments, and parliaments around the world.
