Tibetan exiles hold candlelight vigil in Himachal Pradesh

Dharamsala, Mar 24 (ANI): Tibetans living in India, accompanied by foreigners, took out a candlelight vigil rally here last evening to express their solidarity with victims of Chinese atrocities.

A large number of Tibetans, including Buddhist monks and nuns, holding banners and flags, took part in this candlelight vigil.

They under took three rounds of the town before congregating at the Tsuglagkhang Temple, the main Buddhist shrine in Dharamsala.

"The present situation of Tibetans inside Tibet is worsening day-by-day. And so far, many parts of eastern Tibet, including the Kham and in some parts of Amdo regions, there are cases of Tibetans committing suicide. And many in rest of Tibet are making a simple protest," said Sonam, President of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC).

The foreigners, who participated in the protest, voiced their support to the Tibetans cause.

"I am here in solidarity for Tibet as many Tibetans have been killed and arrested recently. And for them standing against China and the brutality that China is creating in Tibet," said Solly, a participant from America.

On March 10, 1959, Chinese authorities quashed an uprising led by the Dalai Lama, which forced him and many Buddhist men and women to flee Tibet.

The Dalai Lama marked his 50 years in exile on Tuesday by demanding "meaningful autonomy" for his Tibetan homeland, where Chinese authorities tightened security to stifle protests against their rule.

Tibetans across the globe are marking this week with anti-China protests, demonstrations, photo exhibitions and book launches to look back at 50 years of their failed uprising and ponder over the future course of action. (ANI)