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Tibetan leaders mourn the passing of former MP and supporter Kishan Kapoor

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Illustration/Phayul

Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 3: Senior Tibetan leaders have expressed their condolences for the death of Shri Kishan Kapoor, who was a former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and a steadfast supporter of Tibet. He breathed his last at the age of 73 on February 1, 2025.

President Penpa Tsering, the head of the Central Tibetan Administration, and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile both conveyed their heartfelt sympathies to Kapoor’s widow, Smt. Rekha Kapoor.

In his letter, President Tsering remembered Kapoor as “a true friend of Tibet” who demonstrated unwavering support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan cause. He highlighted Kapoor’s persistent advocacy for awarding His Holiness the Dalai Lama with India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. He also noted Kapoor’s significant role in advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Indo-China border dispute, emphasising Tibet’s crucial position in the matter.

“As a steadfast advocate, he stood in solidarity with the Tibetan cause. Today, we mourn the loss of a genuine friend and ally whose unwavering support for Tibet will always be cherished with deep gratitude,” the head of the Tibetan polity wrote.

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, who had personally met with Kapoor on several occasions as part of Tibetan parliamentary delegations, praised his dedication to Tibet’s cause. “His unwavering support for the just cause of Tibet was commendable,” she stated in her condolence message. “We pay our homage to the departed soul and would treasure his contribution towards truth and justice.”

Several representatives from the Tibetan community including members of the Tibetan Youth Congress attended his cremation in Dharamshala.

Mr. Kishan Kapoor, who served as a member of the Lower House of Indian Parliament from 2019 to 2024, was born in 1951 in Kangra district, where Dharamshala, the headquarters of the Tibetan exile community, is based. He served as a member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and held various ministerial positions in the state government, including Minister of Transport and Rural Development, Law Minister, and Minister of Industries and Urban Development.

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