New Delhi, June 19 – 50 members of Delhi branch of Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch, ( BTSM ) newly formed Delhi unit of Indian Tibet Supporters, organized an 8- hours sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi today.
This is an implementation of a resolution passed in the regional conference of Tibet Support Groups in Patiala last month. The scorching heat of Delhi did not deter the members, who belong to different professions, and sat crossed-legged to support one common cause, Freedom of Tibet and security of India.
Mr. Amrit Lal Sharma, the President of the Delhi Unit of BTSM said that the protest aims to send two clear messages.
a) To the Prime Minister saying that the issue of Tibet, which is linked with the National security, must be included in his Agenda during his forth-coming visit to China.
b) To the Tibetan people saying that the people of India are with them in their struggle for freedom.
Various speakers spoke with lots of emotion and read out some portion of speeches supporting Tibet, which Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee had made in the Parliament when he was the leader of opposition party. Dr. Agnihotri, the National General Secretary of BTSM said that whatever the government’s view is on Tibet but the people of India strongly feels that Tibet should be independent. He said that trade and commerce is all right but talking about Tibet and border is Indian nationalism and this visit will be a test for BJP’s nationalism.
A letter was submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister conveying the above message and also the security concerns. Pamphlets containing resolution of the Indian Parliament in 1962 on the issue of Tibet and border, was distributed. Shri Vivek and Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, National executives of BTSM have also come from Himachal Pradesh to join the protest. Shri Vijay Kranti, co-convenor of the core group for Tibetan cause also joined them briefly.
This is the first program of the newly formed Delhi unit of Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch, and most of the participants, including many ladies have joined the movement for the first time.
Jamyang Dorjee
Coordinator, ITCO.Delhi
