Tibetans feel "middle way" has failed

Dharamsala, Nov 18 : Tibetan exiles on the second day of their six-day meeting in Dharamsala said that it is a good platform for them to raise their voice.

Hundreds of Tibetans exiles from across the globe are attending the meeting here, in what could result in a change to their spiritual leader's stance of pushing for autonomy rather than independence for Tibet.

Around a thousand people gathered at a school in Dharamsala on Monday for the inaugural ceremony of the meeting, carrying a portrait of the Dalai Lama.

The 73-year-old Nobel Peace laureate, who called for the meeting in September but will not personally attend, recently hinted his "middle way" for Tibet had failed, and speculation has grown that, he wants to step back from day-to-day political leadership.

Acharya Yeshi Phungchok, member of Tibetan parliament-in-exile said that matters related to Tibetan parliament were discussed on the first day of the meeting.

"They also gave their message regarding the standing of the government-in-exile. It is important, because until and unless the government in-exile... the power or energy is not sustained then the movement will not be able to reach a logical conclusion," he added.

He said that the Tibetans were hoping for some positive outcome from the ongoing meeting.

However, many of the exiles played down speculation of a challenge to the Dalai Lama's "middle way approach" to China, at the start of a meeting to discuss their policy of pushing for autonomy in the region.

Anger has been heightened by the crackdown on riots against Chinese rule in Tibet in March this year.

Chinese officials last week said while the door to Tibetan independence or semi-independence would never open, the door to talks was always open.

ANI