Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Mar. 10: More than a thousand Tibetans and supporters gathered in Dharamshala today to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day. The event paid tribute to the historic 1959 uprising when Tibetans from all three provinces united in defiance of China’s illegal occupation of Tibet.
The official commemoration, organised by the exile Tibetan government known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) was held in the courtyard of Thekchen Choeling Tsughlakhang. The gathering was graced by a high-level delegation from Slovakia and Estonia, alongside CTA dignitaries, including President Penpa Tsering and Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel. Among the esteemed guests were Honourable Andrej Kiska, former President of Slovakia, and Honourable Juku-Kalle Raid, a member of the Estonian Parliament. The leaders reiterated the resilience of the Tibetan people and their unyielding struggle for freedom and human rights under Chinese rule.
In his keynote speech, President Penpa Tsering called for unity and resilience under the guidance of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to non-violence, dialogue, and the Middle Way Approach, stating, “The best way to address Tibet’s immediate and long-term challenges for us Tibetans is to understand and follow the path shown by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The indomitable spirit of Tibetans inside Tibet is the foundation of Tibetan people’s aspiration which inspires and strengthens the determination and commitment of the Tibetans in exile. We must face all the challenges confronting us with courage and in unity under the benevolent leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” he stated.
The head of the Tibetan polity also criticized the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) deviation from Marxist principles, noting, “Marx maintained that oppressed nationalities have the right to self-determination, and he opposed national oppression, national exploitation, while criticizing nationalism. However, the Chinese Communist Party has turned its back on its founder’s ideology and forcibly imposed a fabricated concept of Chinese nationhood on so-called ethnic groups, including the Tibetan people. Tibetans are politically treated as lower-class citizens, requiring constant surveillance of all their activities day and night. Tibetan children are forced to learn the Chinese language and communist ideology, and Tibetan Buddhism is being Sinicized. These policies contradict Marxist principles and violate international laws, while the communist regime continues to inflict irreparable damage to the historical friendship between Tibetan and Chinese peoples.”
Honourable Juku-Kalle Raid echoed these sentiments, drawing parallels between Tibet’s plight and Estonia’s historical struggle against Soviet occupation. “This day is, of course, sad. 66 years ago, when you had the uprising to break free from Communist China, and actually, this is the thing that I am talking about for all Estonians — we can understand because we lived under communist occupation, under Soviet Russian occupation, for 50 years. We waited, hoping that history would eventually open the window to grasp our freedom. I knew that 66 years ago, we considered that about 1.2 million Tibetans, who wanted nothing more but freedom, were killed. Actually, the entire Estonian population, all together, is 1.2 million. It means, for us, it’s like the Chinese Communist Regime killed everyone from our nation. So, we really understand what you are living through and what you have lived through,” he remarked.
Raid further condemned the CCP’s ongoing oppression, stating, “Authoritarian regimes cannot kill the freedom and bravery of the people who want to be free. And you are those people. The Chinese didn’t only take your freedom but also stole your children, and they commit crimes every day. And that’s what communists and dictators do.”
Chief guest Andrej Kiska reflected on his personal journey of becoming a steadfast supporter of Tibet, inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Kiska emphasized that “Tibet is not just a place on the map. Tibet is a symbol of suffering for human rights, cultural identity, and freedom of religion. Drawing comparisons to the conflicts in Europe, he highlighted the striking similarities between Tibet and Ukraine, urging European nations to champion the Tibetan cause. Addressing the younger generation, he implored them to “keep hope alive and never give up.”
Following the official ceremony, a protest rally was organized by four major Tibetan NGOs: the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), Students for a Free Tibet (SFT), the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA), and the National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT). The demonstrators, carrying Tibetan flags and banners demanding freedom, marched from Tsuglakhang Temple to Kacheri, echoing the year’s rallying theme—“Remember. Resist. Return.”
Ahead of the anniversary, His Holiness the Dalai Lama penned a poignant op-ed for The Washington Post, titled “My Hope for the Tibetan People.” Reflecting on his leadership in the wake of Tibet’s occupation, he recalled Mao’s unfulfilled promises and the persistent challenges faced today, while reiterating his hope for constructive dialogue with China.
“Personally, even while stateless, I feel I have been able to live a life with freedom, joy, and purpose, and have been able to make some contribution toward the betterment of humanity. This July, I will turn 90, and even though I fully devolved political authority to elected Tibetan leadership in 2011, many Tibetans are concerned about what would happen to my people and homeland if no resolution is found during my life,” he wrote.
“One clear lesson we know from history is this: If you keep people permanently unhappy, you cannot have a stable society. I hope that the Beijing leadership will, in the near future, find the necessary will and wisdom to address the legitimate aspirations of the Tibetan people,” another powerful excerpt from the op-ed read.
