[New Delhi, India] – In a profound demonstration of solidarity, a significant number of Indian Members of Parliament (MPs) officially signed a Joint Declaration supporting the safeguarding of human rights and the unique religious, cultural, linguistic, and national identity of the Tibetan people. This includes the fundamental and exclusive right of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people to choose their religious leaders according to established religious and historical traditions. This extraordinary action is a direct result of a major advocacy week organised by the Tibet Advocacy Alliance–India. [1]
The Joint Declaration [2] articulates, “We come together to send a resounding message to China: we stand with the Tibetan people in support of their right to religious and cultural freedoms.”
This remarkable demonstration of solidarity conveys an unequivocal message: India supports the cultural and religious rights of the Tibetan people and does not tolerate external forces dictating the spiritual leadership and institutions of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Tibet Advocacy Alliance-India, a national coalition of leading Tibetan NGOs, actively engaged with MPs in New Delhi throughout the week. The discussions focused on the urgent need to protect and safeguard Tibetan culture, recognise religious rights, and mobilise robust, substantial parliamentary support for the spiritual leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, protect Tibetan cultural heritage, and highlight the deteriorating political and social crisis in Tibet.
The culmination of this dedicated effort was the successful procurement of signatures from 46 Members of Parliament on a formal statement explicitly conveying their unwavering support for the Tibetan people’s religious rights and cultural practices. This significant and expanding initiative underscores the profound respect and considerable admiration that His Holiness the Dalai Lama elicits in the Indian Parliament and within Indian public society in general, thereby directly highlighting the significance they place on his leadership and the crucial importance of sustaining and bolstering his altruistic endeavours.
Concurrently, with the release of the Joint Declaration, several signatories articulated their individual positions on the historical, traditional, and cultural rights of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan religious institutions to determine his reincarnation, free from Beijing’s machinations.
Raju Bista, a Member of Parliament from West Bengal: “His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s profound contributions to religious harmony and global peace extend far beyond the Buddhist community, benefiting all humanity. Furthermore, the authority and right to determine the next Dalai Lama rest solely with His Holiness and those he designates. I assure the Tibetan community, along with the people from Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars, my fellow Indian MPs and I stand firmly with our Tibetan brothers and sisters in their pursuit of religious and cultural freedoms.”
Dr Sasmit Patra, a Member of Parliament from Odisha: “The reincarnation system in Tibetan Buddhism is rooted in the continuity of the noble work and legacy of the institute of the Dalai Lama. As such, the sole authority on succession matters lies with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan people and those he entrusts. As such, no external forces have the right to interfere in this sacred process of Tibetan Buddhist practitioners.”
Sujeet Kumar, a Member of Parliament from Odisha: “The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama holds utmost significance amongst the traditions and culture of the Tibetans. China wants to control this process of reincarnation, which is very ironic, because Communist China is an atheist country and they want to control this process of reincarnation so that they can continue with their draconian repression of the Tibetan people”.
Dr. Lobsang Yangtso, a representative of Tibet Advocacy Alliance-India: “The enthusiastic and concrete support demonstrated by Indian MPs sends a clear message of support and solidarity to the Tibetan people. Their commitment to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s spiritual leadership is deeply appreciated and provides crucial strength in our ongoing efforts.”
The Tibet Advocacy Alliance-India expresses confidence that this fervent demonstration of support from across the political spectrum of India for Tibet and its people will act as a significant precursor to an enhanced resistance against China’s efforts to sinicize Tibet’s religious and cultural heritage.
For any additional communication, kindly reach out to one of the following individuals:
Sonam Tsering, General Secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress (For Communication in Tibetan): +91 7590920978 / gensec@tibetanyouthcongress.org
Tenzin Nyima, General Secretary of the Tibetan Women’s Association (For Communication in Hindi): +91 9816036940 / tibwomen@gmail.com
Tenzin Lekdhen, Campaign’s Director, Students for a Free Tibet-India (For Communication in English): +91 8351807484 / lekdhen@studentsforafreetibet.org
Notes to Editors:
1. Tibet Advocacy Alliance – India Member Groups:
– Tibetan Youth Congress
– Tibetan Women’s Association
– National Democratic Party of Tibet
– Students for a Free Tibet- India
– International Tibet Network
2. Future of Tibet Declaration: https://tibetnetwork.org/future-of-tibet-reincarnation-rights-declaration/
