SFT marks 109th declaration of Tibetan Independence Day

By Choekyi Lhamo

DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 14: The activist group Students for a Free Tibet-India marked the 109^th declaration of Tibetan Independence Day on Sunday at Hotel Tibet in Dharamshala by inviting Tibetan scholar Naga Sangye Tandar to mark the importance of this historic day. “This declaration proves that Tibet was a free country. For history, this day becomes vital for us to remember. Some might see this as only political, but more important than that, it should be celebrated as a remembrance to our history,” the scholar addressed the packed audience.

The senior researcher at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives spoke extensively on the topic, ‘History of the proclamation of Tibetan Independence’ by giving examples of Kublai Khan’s military might and how Tibet wasn’t treated as part of China through multiple accounts, and further asserted the need to look at history through a new set of eyes, “Since 1949, China published documents asserting their authority; it is difficult to mark them all untrue. However, we can work towards accurately interpreting them if we study them. China has repeatedly said that Tibet has been an integral part of China since Songtsen Gampo without much evidence.”

The scholar asserted the need to confront the false narrative touted by the Chinese side by optimizing the full potential of our academic minds, including learning the Chinese language. “China still says that it was part of the motherland China since the Ming and Qing dynasties, but for the longest time, even we did not realize that these were lies. We need to look at old Chinese archives to confront these lies. It is impossible to do that with English or Tibetan languages. Learning Chinese is key to deconstructing this history,” he further said.

SFT Director Rinzin Choedon marked the occasion on Sunday by noting its significance in the current global situation, “Every country marks significant historical dates in its founding as a nation. Regardless of its current political status, Tibet is no exception and Students for a Free Tibet celebrates February 13th as an important day to commemorate Tibet’s independent past and to shape our future for a free and independent Tibet.”

The Students for a Free Tibet has annually celebrated this event to mark Tibet’s might and power by restating that Tibet was once a separate nation from China, and had political structures in place to govern an entire people of Kham, Amdo and U-Tsang regions.