Dalai Lama on day-long fast for lives lost for Tibetan cause

Dharamsala, Oct 19: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama joined a call for a day-long hunger fast and prayer service by the Kashag (cabinet), for those who self-immolated, their families and those suffering repression in Tibet on Oct 19.

Dalai Lama, along with Karmapa and Kirti lama led an elaborate prayer service at Tsug-la Khang, the main temple in Dharamshala in solidarity with “Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet and particularly those who self-immolated, their families and those suffering repression in Tibet". Prime Minister (Kalon Tripa) Dr Lobsang Sangay was also present.

Monks and nuns, school students, local Tibetans and supporters, and the entire staff of the Central Tibetan Administration led by Dr Sangay blamed China"s “hard line position" in Tibet over the “last sixty years of Communist China"s occupation" for pushing “Tibetans to a desperate situation. Through its propaganda Beijing shows a different image, but in reality China practices colonialism and systematic destruction of the unique Tibetan culture, religion, language and environment because of which Tibetans have peacefully demonstrated time and again.

“We pay homage to their courage and stand in solidarity with their indomitable spirit," said Dr Sangay while requesting “every Tibetan and Tibetan supporters to carry out activities peacefully and in accordance with the local law.

Since March this year, nine Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet, protesting China"s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Lobsang Phuntsok (20), Tsewang Norbu (29), Khaying (18), Choephel (19), and Tenzin Wangmo (20) have all succumbed to their injuries, while there is no information on the well being and whereabouts of Lobsang Kelsang (18), Lobsang Kunchok (19), Kelsang Wangchuk (17), and Norbu Damdul (19).

Reiterating the Kashag"s appeal to the Chinese government to “immediately stop its repressive policies in Tibet", Dr Sangay urged for an early resolution of the Tibetan issue through “peaceful means".

Lobsang said, “We would like to appeal to the United Nations to send fact-finding delegations into Tibet. We would also like to request to allow free access to the media so that the international community could know the real situation."

Lobsang left for New Delhi later today to meet Indian leaders and take part in the ongoing three-day global Tibetan Solidarity Movement.

OneIndia News