By Phurbu Thinley
Dharamsala, March 14: The Exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Monday formally directed the Tibet’s Parliament in exile to discuss about his decision to devolve “political authority” to an elected leadership.
In a strongly-worded three-page message to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, the Tibetan leader has also instructed the Tibetan lawmakers to treat his retirement decision as an “important matter” that should not be delayed any further.
“Now, a decision on this important matter should be delayed no longer. All the necessary amendments to the Charter and other related regulations should be made during this session so that I am completely relieved of formal authority,” the Dalai Lama said in the message, which was read out by the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Mr Penpa Tsering on the opening day of a 10-day budget session here this morning.
“As a result, some of my political promulgations such as the Draft Constitution for a Future Tibet (1963) and Guidelines for Future Tibet’s Polity (1992) will become ineffective. The title of the present institution of the Ganden Phodrang headed by the Dalai Lama should also be changed accordingly,” the Dalai Lama added.
The speaker of the parliament announced that the issue would be formally discussed on the second day of the session tomorrow.
In the message, the Dalai Lama, despite overwhelming requests by Tibetans asking him to continue his political leadership, has said his decision was pragmatically aimed at benefitting Tibetans and their freedom struggle in the long run.
“It is extremely important that we ensure the continuity of our exiled Tibetan administration and our struggle until the issue of Tibet has been successfully resolved,” the Tibetan leader said in the message.
“If we have to remain in exile for several more decades, a time will inevitably come when I will no longer be able to provide leadership,” the Dalai Lama, who will turn 76 in July, said in the message.
The Dalai Lama formally announced his decision to step down from the political role on Thursday as Tibetan exiles around the world marked the 52nd anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising. The decision has, however, caused serious concerns among the Tibetan people, who find it difficult to envisage a Tibetan freedom struggle without the Dalai Lama.
“I want to acknowledge here that many of my fellow Tibetans, inside and outside Tibet, have earnestly requested me to continue to give political leadership at this critical time,” the Dalai Lama said.
“My intention to devolve political authority derives neither from a wish to shirk responsibility nor because I am disheartened and on the contrary, I wish to devolve authority solely for the benefit of the Tibetan people in the long run,” the Dalai Lama said.
The Dalai Lama has, however, said his retirement did not mean complete disassociation from the Tibetan cause. “As one among the six million Tibetans, bearing in mind that the Dalai Lamas have a special historic and karmic relationship with the Tibetan people, and as long as Tibetans place their trust and faith in me, I will continue to serve the cause of Tibet,” His Holiness said.
In the message, the Dalai Lama further added that his decision was in conformity with his long-held vision of establishing a fully functional democratic system of governance for the Tibetan polity as the most appropriate measure in the long run.
“No system of governance can ensure stability and progress if it depends solely on one person without the support and participation of the people in the political process. One man rule is both anachronistic and undesirable. We have made great efforts to strengthen our democratic institutions to serve the long-term interests of the six million Tibetans, not out of a wish to copy others, but because democracy is the most representative system of governance,” the Dalai Lama said.
“In 2001, the Tibetan people elected the Kalon Tripa, the political leader, directly for the first time. Since then, I have been in semi-retirement, no longer involving myself in the day-to-day administration, but able to dedicate more time to general human welfare.
“The essence of a democratic system is, in short, the assumption of political responsibility by elected leaders for the popular good. In order for our process of democratization to be complete, the time has come for me to devolve my formal authority to such an elected leadership. The general lack of experience and political maturity in our democratic institutions has prevented us from doing this earlier,” the Dalai Lama added.
“Therefore, it is necessary that we establish a sound system of governance while I remain able and healthy, in order that the exile Tibetan administration can become self-reliant rather than being dependent on the Dalai Lama.
“If we are able to implement such a system from this time onwards, I will still be able to help resolve problems if called upon to do so. But, if the implementation of such a system is delayed and a day comes when my leadership is suddenly unavailable, the consequent uncertainty might present an overwhelming challenge,” the Dalai Lama said in the message.
As many as 37 out of 43 members of the parliament are attending the session, which will go on till 25 March.
This is the 11th and the last session of the 14th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
The March session is usually called the Budget Session of the Tibetan Parliament, the highest legislative organ of the exile polity, during which, among other things, the Tibetan legislators will discuss and approve the budget of the exile Tibetan government for the fiscal year 2011-2012.
The budget covers the administration of all the government offices, including overseas offices in 11 different countries, and specific welfare programmes and services that are to be undertaken in various Tibetan settlements in India, Nepal and Bhutan.
