The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) called off its indefinite hunger strike at New Delhi on August 9, 2007 following a visit by Indian Parliamentarians, including former Indian Defence Minister Shri George Fernandez, assuring to raise the issue vociferously in the Indian Parliament and in compliance with the message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual and temporal leader, to call off the strike.

At 10 am on August 9, the 14 hunger strikers who had been braving hunger and heat for over 32 days finally broke their fast after drinking juice offered by Shri George Fernandez.

The former defence minister assured the 14 hunger strikers that as a member of Parliament he, along with other MPs, would raise their demands during the coming session of the Parliament which begins on August 10. He also assured the hunger strikers that through a resolution in the Parliament, the Government of India would raise the issue with the Chinese government, requesting to consider and fulfill the demands.

In addition Kalon Tenpa Tsering, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who accompanied Mr. Fernandez, persuaded the hunger strikers and the organizers to give a definite response and immediately comply with the message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The 14 Tibetans - Ven Gelek Gyatso, Ven Tsondue Gyatso Naknya, Kelsang Youdon, Dawa Tsering, Lobsang, Kalsang Dawa, Tsewang Dhargyal, Tsering Norzom, Nyima Tsering, Jamyang Yeshi, Karma Sonam, Tashi Thondu, Tashi Wangdue, and Passang Dorjee – had started their hunger strike on July 8, 2007.

Following are the major developments during the period of hunger strike which led to its conclusion:

• As requested by the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) to raise the demands of the hunger strike with the Chinese Government, on 31st July 2007, Kasur Gyalo Dhondup visited the hunger strikers and assured the hunger strikers to raise the cause with the Chinese government while appealing to end the strike. On 1st August, Kasur Gyalo Dhondup had a meeting with Mr Sun Yuxi, Chinese Ambassador to India and some embassy officials at around 10:00 am till 12:30 pm. From the office of the Chinese Embassy, the officials expressed their understanding of the demands of the hunger strikers and made explanations.  As a result of the discussion, there was a consensus in the end for a need to have a programme that would enable Tibetans in exile to see and experience by themselves the current realities in Tibet. Chinese Embassy claims that they have responded officially regarding the whereabouts of Panchen Lama recently.

• Between the periods of hunger strike from 8 July 2007 to 8 August 2007, a number of Indian Parliamentarians, including George Fernandez, visited the 14 hunger strikers and requested to call off the strike. They assured that over 30 Indian MPs will raise the demands of the hunger strike in the coming Parliament. Mr. Fernandez in his second visit fervently appeal the hunger strike to end the strike and assured that the Indian government will be asked to request its Chinese counterpart to seriously consider the demands of the hunger strike.  

• His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people, sent an appeal letter to the 14 hunger strikers to discontinue the strike immediately. While applauding their courage and determination, the letter reads "such an action (hunger strike) is not only a form of violence but also-if we assess the present situation both inside and outside Tibet calmly and objectively, by simply sacrificing the lives of more Tibetan people will not likely to bring about the positive results we seek.   Instead of sacrificing precious human lives in this way, it would be of greater benefit and service to our cause by striving to continuously carry out this spirit of unyielding courage and determination from generation to generation. The immense hardships you have all endured so far have fulfilled a key objective: it has attracted much publicity and caught the attention of the international community as well as inspired Tibetans living inside and outside of Tibet.   In light of this, I earnestly appeal to you all to discontinue your hunger strike immediately. I trust that you will give this request of mine serious consideration."

• The Mass People's action on 8 August 2007 was carried out with proper permission from the Government of India. Based on the report of the Indian Intelligence officials that only around 3,000 people would be able to participate in the movement, the officials gave permission on this premise. However, more than 25,000 Tibetans turned up for the protest, shocking the Indian officials. Moreover, the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), despite making it very clear to the people that the protest will be strictly peaceful and non-violent, due to some unexpected self immolation bid by few protesters and sensing the violent mood of the crowd, the Central Government and the State Government withdrew the permission and ordered to immediately stop the people's protest and also the hunger strike movement. The Administration issued irrevocable stern order to cease all activities immediately.

On account of the above development and taking into consideration the fact that we have moved forward in bringing together an unprecedented mass people's gathering in Delhi and thereby bringing about a new sense of hope, vigour and vitality in in the hearts and minds of Tibetan people across the world towards our movment, the TYC is calling off the hunger strike.

The Tibetan Youth Congress salutes the courage and endurance of the 14 Tibetans and look upon their action as inspiration for our continued struggle to regain the rights of the Tibetan people.

The People's Movement launched by TYC has received an overwhelming response from the Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet. The show of strength and unity on such a massive scale is an unprecedented event in the history of Tibetan movement in exile.  This is a clear message to the government of People's Republic of China (PRC) that the yearning of Tibetan people for freedom is deep and strong. The spirit of the Tibetan people is not only alive; it is getting stronger and stronger as the impasse continues. Following this movement, the TYC believes that it generated a renewed sense of hope and vigor among Tibetans inside and outside Tibet.

The enormous display of public response and support to this movement from Tibetans living across the world has opened up a new beacon of light and a fresh chapter in the Tibetan movement.

Secondly, the hunger strikers and the mass people's gathering send a strong message to the international community that the nature of the Tibetan movement is strictly non-violent and peaceful. The crowd of over 25,000 Tibetans strictly followed the rules of the Indian government, though the passion and zeal of the protesters was fiery.

It also showed that the Tibetan people's commitment to peace and non-violence is unshakeable. Despite the long impasse on the issue, Tibetans showed that they are going to fight it out their way and not in a violent manner.

Thirdly, though, the Chinese government acknowledges the demands of hunger strikers and agreed to the idea of having programme that enables Tibetans in exile to see by themselves the actual situation in Tibet. Nevertheless, China has failed to fulfill the demands of the hunger strikers and the people to our satisfaction .It indicates China's incredible ambivalence to the suffering of the Tibetan people and complete ignorance to the cultural genocide continuing inside Tibet.

The situation in Tibet continues to be grave. Tibetans inside Tibet are doing everything they can – risking their lives on a daily basis for the freedom of our country. The very identity of the Tibetan people and of our nation faces extinction if we do not find an early solution.

TYC feels the Tibetan people owe it to themselves to do whatever we can for the fulfillment of our rightful demands. While this may be an end of the first phase of the People's Movement, which includes the hunger strike, this is definitely not the end. The TYC will continue the struggle and lead more such people's movements in the future. It will continue until we regain our freedom and independence for Tibet.

Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok Godrukpa
President
Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC)