With chants of “Free Tibet”, “Xi Jinping resign”, and “Long Live Dalai Lama ”, the young protestors of Tibetan Youth Congress, demonstrated in front of the Embassy of China in New Delhi today, to commemorate the 67th anniversary of 1959 Tibetan National Uprising.
Young Tibetans, many with their faces painted in the colours of the Tibetan flag and holding placards, raised their voices against what they described as “cultural genocide” and ongoing human rights violations in Tibet.
The global Tibetan community in the diaspora observed the day through protests held across multiple countries.
Tenzin Lobsang, General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress, said: “We are commemorating today here in front of the Chinese Embassy to express that we have not given up. It’s been 67 years, but we are stronger and have a stronger spirit to take back our country from the illegal occupation of China.”
A young Tibetan said, “We are here to remind the world and global leaders that our brothers and sisters in Tibet are still suffering from the brutal Chinese occupation……our children are being dragged from their own houses to Chinese colonial boarding schools to eradicate our cultural identity.” Overwhelmed with emotions, she added, “Watching them (the young protesters) was so hard for me.”
In recent years, Tibet has faced increasing challenges in preserving its cultural and religious identity. Reports have emerged of the detention and disappearance of Tibetan Buddhist leaders for teaching the Tibetan language and religious traditions. Authorities have also imposed restrictions preventing children under the age of 18 from visiting Tibetan monasteries.
Meanwhile, the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama,Gyaincain Norbu, recognized by Beijing as the Panchen Lama, has spoken about the need for the “Sinicization” of Tibetan Buddhism, emphasizing that religion should align with Chinese national identity.
Recent analysis noted that Beijing has been tightening control over minority regions as part of a wider effort to promote assimilation. China’s National People’s Congress has been reviewing a draft Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, which aims to strengthen a shared national identity among ethnic groups.
This law further solidifies China’s attempt of creating a Han-dominated society, increasing concerns about the erosion of minority cultures.
