Tibetans seeking autonomy from China: Dalai Lama

Bangalore, Jan 18: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has said that the Tibetans are seeking autonomy from China, permissible under Chinese constitution.

"We are seeking genuine autonomy which the constitution of Republic ofhina grants us," he said at function organised here to felicitate former Defence Minister George Fernandes. The Dalai Lama also said he wanted greater autonomy for his homeland, and not independence. The Dalai Lama set up his seat of power in Dharamsala after he and his followers had fled to India in 1959, following a failed uprising against Chinese occupation of Tibet.

The Dalai Lama now says he has accepted Chinese sovereignty over Tibet, but wants greater autonomy, not independence, for his predominantly Buddhist homeland.

Beijing considered him a separatist and accused him of continuing to promote Tibetan independence.

The Dalai Lama is still revered by most Tibetans inside the Himalayan region despite repeated campaigns to stamp out loyalty to him.

ANI