By Phurbu Thinley
Dharamsala, March 22: Indian supporters marched through the streets of Dharamsala to support Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and denounce Chinese Communist Government’s brutal crackdown on Tibetan demonstrators across Tibet.
The marchers, mostly local Indian businessmen, pledged their unconditional support for the Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama and denounced China’s human rights violations in Tibet.
“We are concerned about what’s happening in Tibet. We are here with you to show our solidarity to the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom, said Mr Ram Swaroop, a prominent businessman in the area and former president of Indo-Tibet Friendship Society.
“India has had a long relationship with Tibetans,” he said, adding “We want to tell Tibetans that the people of India and the whole world are with you.”
“Keep fighting, Tibetans” was one of the strongest slogans raised by the local Indian marchers.
Other slogans include: “Long Live Dalai Lama”, “China Stop violence in Tibet”.
Shops and restaurants run by local Indian people remained closed in the morning to stage Pro-Tibet rally in the town.
“We pray that the Dalai Lama’s peaceful efforts to negotiate with China bear fruit,” said Prem Sagar of the Bharat Tibet Sehyog Manch (BTSM) responsible for organising Saturday’s march for Tibet.
Dharmsala is home to the Dalai Lama and the base for the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.
Addressing at the site where a group of Tibetans have been staging chain hunger strike since last week, Mr Sunil Manocha of the BTMS said, “People of India will always stand by your side”.
Meanwhile, Tibetans carried on with their regular protest demonstrations throughout the day and held candle light vigil in the evening to pray for the victims of Chinese Government’s crackdown.
