Dharamshala, April 18 – As the three members of Tibetan Youth Congress continue to sit in an indefinite hunger strike in front of the UN building in New York since 2 April 2004, Tibetans and its supporters from around the world showered their solidarity and support by visiting the spot and organising different activities in their respective areas.
To mark the second anniversary of Tulku Tenzin Delek’s arrest and in support of the indefinite hunger strike in New York, the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) Dharamshala organised a candle light vigil on April 7. The longest-served former political prisoner of Tibet, Takna Jigme Sangpo, addressed the event. The RTYC Shimla organised a mass procession the following day in the capital of Himachal state.
Support also ushered in from India’s northeastern town of Siliguri, where the Northeast chapters of TYC sat in a 24-hour hunger strike and candle vigil on April 9. The supporters dispersed after the former TYC executive member, Tsewang Paljor, offering fruit juice to the hunger strikers and addressing the crowd.
Tibetans in Manali started a two-day hunger strike on April 12, which received support from the local Indians and extensive media coverage in the local newspapers. Manali being a favourite hill station for Indian tourists, a signature campaign appealing the Indian government support for the just cause of Tibet was also organised. The collected signatures were sent to the authorities concerned. RTYC Delhi, Baroda and Mainpat also organised a signature campaign at their respective regions.
The three hunger strikers in New York, Ms. Dolma Choephel, Mr. Gyatso and Mr. Sonam Wangdu are getting more solidarity and support from 13 organisations around the Doon valley. A 16-day relay hunger strike is being carried out at the Gandhi Park in Dehra Dun. Honourable Heera Singh, the Transport minister of Uttranchal state, showing his support for the activists, addressed the gathering as it got started off on April 14. In his address the minister said he support the Tibetan independence movement.
He also urged the Chinese authorities to have sincere approach with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and find an amicable solution to the Tibetan issue. The ongoing chain hunger strikes in Dehra Dun will be ended on April 29, which coincides with the 6th death anniversary of martyr Thupten Ngodup.
Thupten Ngodup sacrificed his life for a free Tibet by self-immolation during a unto death hunger strike in New Delhi in 1998.
In the South, RTYC Bylakuppe, Hunsur and Kollegal organised a press conference on April 13 and a silent procession on April 15 in Mysore city. The Regional Tibetan Women’s Association also joined the procession.
In Dharamshala, Sarah Rukhag of RTYC undertook a 24-hour hunger strike at Mcleod Ganj bus stand. About 160 students from Sarah College for Higher Tibetan Studies participated in the event that stated at 12 noon of April 17. Tibetans residing in Mcleod Ganj actively took part in it. In the evening a candle light vigil was organized that was participated more than 500 Tibetans and its supporters. A solidarity and encouragement letter was written to the three hunger strikers in New York. The signed letter was handed over to the head office of TYC to be sent to New York.
Indian Tibet Support Group also sent an urgent e-mail appealing the UN Secretary General, UN Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights and other authorities concerned to put in every effort to meet the demands of hunger strikers in New York.
Tibetan Youth Congress was established on 7 October 1970. It emerged as the largest non-governmental and national movement organisation within Tibetan Diaspora and the most active organisation struggling for the restoration of Tibet’s independence. It has 77 regional chapters and more than 20,000 members throughout the world.
