The final day of the five-day hunger strike begun with a brief prayer invocation. The day witnessed the participation of more than 400 participants, including members of RTYC Delhi, RTYC Dickyiling, Sameyling Tibetan settlement, Ladakh Budh Vihar and Tibetans in and around Delhi. Besides, Ex-Executive members of Tibetan Youth Congress, Representative from the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, The Coordinator of India-Tibet Coordination Office, The Executive Director of Tibetan Parliament and Policy Research Centre, Tibetan Welfare Officer, the acting Director of TCV Tibetan youth hostel, Executive members of Regional Tibetan Women’s Association and representatives from sameyling Tibetan settlement and Budh vihar grace the day with their presence.
The participants took out a protest rally from Jantar Mantar up to Parliament Street, raising Anti Chinese Slogans and demanding for the immediate and unconditional release of Tulku Tenzin Delek. Near the parliament street DCP HQ they were obstructed with police barricades hence the participants demonstrated there for about more than an hour. Mr. Tseing Dhondup la, Public Relations Officer of the Tibetan Youth Congress addressed the gathering by delivering a speech in Hindi. He underlined the Tibetan Youth Congress’s charter of demand and called upon the peace loving people of India and the world to support our effort for the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek. The participants took out the rally back from Parliament Street up to Jantar Mantar after a brief Prayer Invocation.
In the afternoon, at around 2:30 pm Mr. Bashista Narain, Convenor of Indian Parliamentarian Forum for Tibet and the Member of Rajya Sabha, visited the venue to show his concern and solidarity. While addressing the gathering he firmly stated, “Without hard work and sacrifices, there is no possibility of gaining Independence”. He further stated, “Tulku Tenzin Delek is not an ordinary citizen, and Death Sentence at this modern era is irrelevant. He appealed not only for Tulku Tenzin Delek but also for the release of all political prisoners in Tibet.
The Tibetan Welfare officer in his address appreciated the Undying Spirit of Tibetan Youth Congress and the participants of hunger strike. He stated, “Tulku Tenzin Delek’s case is very critical and I hope and pray for his immediate release.” The president and the vice president of RTYC Delhi shared their views and experiences during the five days hunger strike.
The General Secretary of TYC, Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee Chunang gave a briefing about the TYC’s All India Relay Hunger Strike that was organized in four metropolitan cities of India. He further summarized the exhaustive activities during the five days token hunger strike in Delhi and about the continuing activities in Dharamsala, which will last for another two months.
Finally, the much-awaited moment arrived when Shri George Fernandes, the former Defense Minister of India visited the venue as a Chief Guest during the closing day. He made some encouraging announcement while addressing the gathering and also took part in the candle light vigil to show his support and solidarity.
Hence, the five days hunger strike in Delhi concluded with great pump and show, and with great optimism that our efforts will not go waste and the dawn of Tibet’s independence is not far.
