By Tendar Tsering
BODH GAYA, January 7: Yesterday’s twin self-immolations in Tibet has shocked Tibetans gathered in Bodh Gaya but the fear over stirring up mass emotional outcry has stopped Tibetans from carrying out solidarity actions here at the venue of the Kalachakra teachings.
Speaking to the media, Tsewang Rigzin, president of the largest pro-independence group in exile, the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), condemned the Chinese government for their repressive policies inside Tibet which he said was “forcing Tibetans to give up their lives.”
However, Rigzin said that TYC will continue to focus on its ongoing Kalachakra social services at the moment.
Lukhar Jam, the vice-president of Gu-Chu-Sum, the former political prisoner’s association, expressed his sadness for being un-able to take the lead in organising solidarity campaigns here at the venue of the Kalachakra teachings, where thousands of people from 63 countries have gathered.
“There is fear amongst a large section of the society that emotion might over rule rationale in the event of an action campaign here at the Kalachakra,” Jam said.
Tenzin Dorjee, Director, Students’ for a Free Tibet (SFT) told Phayul that his organisation was in the planning stages of organising a campaign.
“Tomorrow night we will be discussing what we need to do,” said Dorjee.
In a press release today, the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) solely blamed the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for the incidents of self-immolations inside Tibet.
Referring to the latest self-immolations, CTA said that it is “saddened” to hear about the two cases of self-immolations which took place in Amdo Ngaba, eastern Tibet yesterday.
“It (PRC) must take full responsibility and immediately take measures to end these unfortunate incidents by adopting liberal policies for Tibet and Tibetan people,”said the release.
“The Kashag wishes to reiterate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s statement that as Buddhist, life is precious and thus, he has always discouraged drastic actions inside and outside of Tibet, as he did during the peaceful protests in 2008 and several unto-death hunger strikes in exile,” the release added.
“Furthermore, the Central Tibetan Administration does not encourage any protests inside Tibet due to the harsh consequences in the hands of the Chinese authorities.”
Names and details of the two Tibetans – one monk and one layman are unknown but the latter is believed to have succumbed his to injuries.
These are the 13th and 14th cases of self-immolations in Tibet since March 2011. Tibetans have set their bodies on fire with an alarming consistency, demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting against the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
Earlier pamphlets spread around the Ngaba region had proclaimed that many more Tibetans were ready to self-immolate for the common cause of Tibet.
