June 20, 2026 marked the 49th day since the passing of Martyr Lobga Rangzen, who sacrificed his life for the cause of Tibet and the aspirations of the Tibetan people.
A memorial service and prayer ceremony were jointly organized by the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan Parliament in Exile at the Tsuglagkhang, the Dalai Lama Temple, in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala. The ceremony was attended by thousands of Tibetans and supporters of Tibet.
Following the memorial service, Honourable Sikyong Mr. Penpa Tsering formally concluded the Dharamshala part of the Tibetan Youth Congress’s continuous Chain Hunger Strike, which had been organized in remembrance of Pawo (Martyr) Lobga Rangzen and in protest against China’s so-called “Ethnic Unity Law.” As part of the same continuous campaign, the strike continues in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, at the very location where Martyr Lobga Rangzen made the ultimate sacrifice for the Tibetan cause. The protest seeks to keep his aspirations alive and call for international attention to the Tibetan struggle and the grave consequences of China’s policies in Tibet.
The Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and Tibetan Youth Congress subsequently organized a peaceful mass march led from the Dalai Lama Temple to the Police Ground, Dharamshala. Thousands of Tibetans and Tibet supporters from different nationalities joined the march, united in honouring Martyr Lobga Rangzen and reaffirming their commitment to the Tibetan cause.
The concluding ceremony at Police Ground was moderated by the Tibetan Youth Congress. Distinguished guests — Honourable Sikyong Mr. Penpa Tsering; President of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society, Shri Ajit Nehria; Dharamshala Mayor, Shri Shamsher Singh Nehria; and a representative of Shri Shanta Kumar — addressed the gathering, expressing solidarity with the Tibetan people and paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of martyr Lobsang Rangzen. Statements from the Tibetan Cabinet (Kashag) and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile were also read out during the programme.
The 49th day commemoration concluded with a renewed commitment to carry forward Martyr Lobga Rangzen’s aspiration for a free Tibet and to continue raising the voice of Tibet on the international stage.
