By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 7: The final rites of the deceased Tibetan soldier from the Special Frontier Force, Company Leader Nyima Tenzin were performed with military honors and his remains cremated at the Shiwatsel cremation ground in Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh on Monday morning. Hundreds including Tibetans, Ladhakis, and dignitaries such as BJP senior Leader Ram Madhav attended the funeral and paid their respects.
Here in Dharamshala, Tibetans gathered at McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala for a candlelight vigil to mourn the death of the fallen Tibetan soldier on Monday evening. The Tibetan soldier died on the night of the August 30, during a landmine explosion at recent confrontation near the LAC of the Indo-Tibet border in Ladakh, sources said. Prominent activist group Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) organized the vigil where Tibetan parliamentarians, various Tibetan activist groups and local Tibetans attended.
Gonpo Dhondup, President of TYC addressed the event by honouring all the Tibetan martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan cause, “Today at the funeral ceremony, we saw how much the Tibetans were saddened by the death of one of our own. People all around India saw the unity among Tibetans at such a critical juncture. It is us who need to show the world that even in crises like COVID-19 and conflicts at the border, we have the power to use this opportunity for retaliation. Many countries have already started to see how the Chinese government is posturing at the moment. I urge all Tibetans to participate in this political shift and strengthen our struggle together.”
He further remarked on the secret history of SFF and how the death of one Tibetan soldier has irked both the Tibetan and Indian communities. He said that TYC activists reached out to his family to give their condolences for his sacrifice, and also met with another Tibetan soldier Tenzin Londen aged 24 who was also injured at the front.
Tenzin Tsundue, poet and activist, also addressed the public, “Tibetan soldiers were able to push out the encroaching Chinese military and received the honour that the SFF deserves. Nyima Tenzin was a 51-year-old soldier who spent almost 37 years in service. There was no public reception when his body first arrived in his hometown. If it had been an Indian soldier martyred at the border fighting the Chinese, the reaction would have been totally opposite.”
Expressions of solidarity surfaced in the Indian media as well as social media following his death. SFF’s Vikas battalion is predominantly manned by Tibetans and has been a secret force in the Indian military. At the border, the SFF consisting of mostly Tibetan commandoes have been deployed and have succeeded in capturing crucial vantage points including Kala top at the LAC.
2 Responses
The SFF has made both India and Tibet proud. The loss of Nyima Tenzin was tragic but it also proved a rallying point for both Tibetans and Indians to focus on the mutual interest of the two sides and the commonality of the enemy.
Since the era of Lama rule is over, the exile Government must not be shy to embrace the SFF and nurture our young military personnel to boost their morale and demonstrate the esteem Tibetans hold for them in our hearts. They are our sons and daughters. They shed blood for the cause of Tibet through serving our host nation to win Indian public support for our struggle.
It’s been a sad story that while the resistance fighters were fighting the enemy, the Tibetan Government both in Tibet and exile have turned a cold shoulder to one of the best fighting force in the tradition of our ancestors. Tibetans have excelled in warfare from ancient times and created a great empire from 7th to 9th century.
For an eye opener, look at the Palestinian Movement. After Arafat waged vicious war to regain their homeland, it created urgency to the issue and President Bill Clinton almost brought a break-through when Yasser Arafat shook hands with arch enemy Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin at the White House 27 years ago. It didn’t exactly clinch because of the extremists on both side and Yitzhak Rabin was assassinate by a fellow Jew.
Arafat was allegedly poisoned by the Israeli State and they turned into what is known as Intifada, a non-violent resistance. Since the historic handshake, the Palestinian Movement has sputtered and today, it has lost steam.
Israel continues to built illegal settlements on their land and Arab States like UAE who used to support them are making friends with Israel. The two State solution which was the dream of the Palestinians is fast fading into oblivion. This is an eye opener to the Tibetans, don’t be too sure of ourselves that the non-violent Movement will succeed.
There has to be a Plan B or contingency plans in the event of changing international and world political environment. In order to regain our freedom and our country no stone should be left unturned. Raising the profile of the SFF and investing in man power in it is a prudent step for the unknown future to carry the Tibetan Movement far into the future to fulfil our cherished dream
A great support shown to a fallen hero. I like this quote from Namgyal Dolkar la in Reuters: “We respect and love India for giving us shelter but it is time the nation acknowledges the crucial role played by our men in the SFF; If an Indian soldier dies, the country declares him as a martyr, government pays rich tribute. Why are Tibetan refugees not bestowed the same respect?”
When asked for comments on this situation, Dr Sangay said, “government does not comment on the SFF”.
When the whole world is up in arms against China, is it the right strategy to take such a passive stance?? India is especially riled up against China with some even calling for independent Tibet. This is surely the time for all our government officials to make hay. Or maybe our dear leader wants to leave office cautiously; who can blame him, God knows he is not good in tight spots.