The Tibetan government-in-exile has rejected what it describes as China’s efforts to assimilate Tibetan and other ethnic minority communities….reports Asian Lite News Desk
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile, has rejected what it described as China’s assimilation policies in Tibet and reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the Tibetan cause through peaceful and democratic means.
The CTA and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile jointly organised a prayer meeting and peace march in Dharamsala on Thursday to mark the 49th day since Tibetan activist Lobsang Palden, also known as Lobga Rangzen, died after self-immolating in protest.
The march began at Tsuglagkhang in McLeod Ganj and ended at the Dharamsala Police Ground, drawing Tibetan community members, representatives of the exile administration and supporters of Tibet.
Speaking to IANS, CTA President Penpa Tsering said the event was both a tribute to Palden and a peaceful protest against Chinese policies that he alleged were undermining Tibetans’ distinct cultural, religious and linguistic identity.
Tsering said Palden had self-immolated to protest what he described as continued Chinese repression and the recently implemented law promoting “ethnic unity and progress”.
He said the 49th day has particular significance in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, marking the completion of the 49-day intermediate period, or “bardo”, following death.
According to Tsering, the stated objective of promoting ethnic unity masks what the CTA considers an effort to “Sinicise” Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongols and other officially recognised ethnic minorities in China.
He alleged that Beijing was seeking to assimilate diverse communities by weakening their languages, cultures, religious traditions and distinct identities.
At the same time, Tsering stressed that the CTA does not support self-immolation as a form of protest, describing every Tibetan life lost as an “irreparable loss” to the movement. He said the Tibetan campaign would continue through peaceful and democratic means.
The programme began with a two-hour prayer session at Tsuglagkhang Temple, where participants paid tribute to Tibetans who had died in the struggle and expressed solidarity with their families.
Tsering said Tibetan communities in several countries had also launched peaceful campaigns since early July. He claimed that Uyghur, Mongolian and pro-democracy Chinese groups had joined some of the campaigns, reflecting shared concerns over what they see as assimilation policies.
He further claimed that countries including the US, UK, Australia and Switzerland had expressed concerns over the new Chinese law. The European Parliament has also criticised the legislation, according to the CTA.
Tsering reiterated that the Tibetan movement would remain focused on protecting Tibet’s culture, language, religious freedom and distinct identity through peaceful means.
The CTA’s position comes amid continued tensions between the Tibetan government-in-exile and Beijing over Tibet’s political status, cultural identity and religious freedoms.
