News and Views on Tibet

Tibetan activists protest Xi in Delhi

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New Delhi, September 18: As Chinese President Xi Jinping began his second day of his three day visit to India, activists from the two pro independence groups carried out protests close to the Taj Palace Hotel where Xi checked in earlier this morning.

Eight Tibetan activists of TYC carried out a protest near the Taj Palace Hotel and four activists of Students for a Free Tibet unfurled two 16 x 5 feet banners reading “Xi Free Tibet Now” from a tall electrical pole and a metro construction pillar around 50 metre away from the Taj Palace Hotel.

One of the activists of SFT, an Indian supporter, locked himself to the base of the electricity pole with an iron chain, shouting “Tibet’s Independence is India’s Security”. “I am a member of Students for a Free Tibet-India, and I joined this protest against Xi Jinping to support the Tibetan freedom movement,” said Siddhant. “We cannot give up our values of freedom, justice and democracy, for which our ancestors sacrificed their lives during our freedom struggle, in exchange for economic benefits with the CCP Regime, one of the cruelest dictatorships of our times”, he said before being arrested.

Spalgon Kanji, a Ladakhi student who was part of the protest at Taj hotel, said, “As a Ladakhi, I have seen China’s bullying tactics at our northern borders almost every day, even now during Xi’s visit 1000 Chinese troops entered Indian territory.” Kanji added that the ultimate lasting solution to India’s national security from China’s military expansionism will only come through advancing freedom in Tibet.

Later today, thirty Tibetan girls of TYC and 14 Tibet activists of SFT also staged a protest outside Hyderabad House where the two leaders held delegation level talks.

All the Tibet activists were arrested and currently detained at various police stations.

“Xi Jinping is leading one of the most oppressive military offensives that Tibetans have faced in the past 50 years of China’s occupation of our country. Only last month Chinese forces shot and killed five Tibetan who were peacefully protesting the arrest of their village leader in Dema, eastern Tibet. This is just one of many examples of Xi Jinping and the Chinese government’s brutal rule in Tibet,” said Dorjee Tseten, Asia Director of Students for a Free Tibet International.

“During his visit, Xi Jinping will blatantly lie about the crisis in Tibet, but we are here to speak the truth as entire towns and villages in Tibet are under military lockdown. Until Xi ends the occupation in Tibet, China will never truly experience peace and stability, or global respect its leaders so desperately seek.”

Meanwhile, noted Tibetan activist Tenzin Tsundue was arrested from Sabarmati Ashram, where Indian PM and the Chinese president met for what is described by media reports as “moonlit dinner.” He had been hiding in the Ashram since Tuesday night to protest Xi’s visit.

Twenty-seven Tibetan students also carried out a protest yesterday in Ahmedabad, where President Xi first met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The students were also detained.

Policemen with batons kept a lose watch on Majnu ka Tilla Tibetan colony which remained virtually locked down since Wednesday.

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