By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Aug. 16: A Tibetan family has reportedly been blacklisted by Chinese authorities as “separatist sympathizers,” preventing them from availing government benefits after authorities found them in possession of the exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama’s photo in Lithang county located in the so called Sichuan province in occupied Tibet.
A Tibetan couple in Tsosang village in Lithang county’s Shungpa township, Tsering and Lhamo who work as labourers have been denied state benefits after a surprise raid by Chinese officials, RFA reported.
A source cited by the RFA said that the subsidy for the couple was denied after, “officials came unannounced, and they saw a photo of the Dalai Lama on display in the couple’s house”, and that the couple were deemed “separatist sympathizers” for possessing the photo of the Dalai Lama, considered the most important religious figure and leader by Tibetans.
Tibetans in Lithang are said to have been subjected to surprise raids by the Chinese officials after the incident.
The possession of the Dalai Lama’s photo inside occupied Tibet is considered an offense with China calling the exiled Tibetan leader a “separatist” over the years.
The octogenarian Tibetan leader and the exile Tibetan government based here has proposed the ‘Middle Way Approach’ which seeks genuine autonomy for Tibet under China. While Beijing has given no response for the same, exiled leadership say that their proposal has gained support from international community and a growing number of Chinese intellectuals and pro-democracy individuals.
