The biting December Chill and the Christmas din and ecstasy around the Mcleod Square, utterly failed to jolt the 30 odd Tibetan hunger strikers from Upper TCV’s Handicraft Center and Mothers Training Center, from meditating and praying for the safe and immediate release of Tulku Tenzin Delek. When the night saw half the world reveling in the Yule tide, oblivious to the plights of the Tibetans, TYC organized “Relay Hunger Strike” in Dharamsala, enters a month on a silent, yet, a determined note.
The Hunger Strike has, since day one, received an overwhelming response and support from the Tibetans residing in Dharamsala with each Monasteries, Nunneries, Associations, Schools, Organization and the Colleges taking turn to sit on Strike, in a united expression of a protest against the unjust death sentence on a fellow compatriot by China. The month saw participation in the Strike by Dolmaling, Gaden Choling, Jamyang Choling, Nechung, Namgyal, Kirti, Dip-Tsechokling, Gadong, Tsenye-Dratsang, TCV School and the affiliations, Sara Tibetan Studies Institute, Norbulingka Institute, Mcleod Tibetan Handicraft Center, Mcleod Tibetan Shop Association, Mcleod Hotel and Restaurant Association, Regional Tibetan Women’s Association, Gu Chu Sum Association, National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT)Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts ( TIPA), and Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and the Centrex members.
Similarly the support from the Indian brothers were equally encouraging and heart-warming as hundreds sign petitions and read fliers, expressing their concern, inquiring how they could contribute for the cause. Many foreigners also expressed their solidarity and support by sitting on Strike and voluntarily worked at the camp on days end. Jeffery, an American tourist was ever present at the camp, to boost the morale of the strikers and to help out with the campaign. Some westerners kept coming back to inquire about the developments on the Tulku’s case, praying their lord that the innocent Tulku be redeemed sooner. There were many that made donations with guilt-ridden expressions as to compensate their failure to sit on Strike. Many supporters from Ladakh and other Buddhist States too joined in their expression of support.
The day saw an unusual but a heart-rending incidence when a 4 year old Indian boy from Chandigarh City, named Anoorodh, who has come with his parents to enjoy Christmas in the Town, on being explained by his father about the reasons of the Hunger Strike campaign by the Tibetans at the market square, was so moved by the story that he asked for a post-card with a photo of Tulku Tenzin Delek and went straight to the nearby policeman to complain about the unjust conviction. This strangely yet clearly goes to show how even the godly beings, are all unison in support of the innocence of the Tulku Tenzin Delek. Must there be any further doubt over the victory of the truth?.
The “All India Relay Hunger Strike” organised under the auspices of Tibetan Youth Congress, commenced on 2nd November 2004 at New Delhi, followed by a five-day campaign at Mumbai, Kolkatta, Bangalore culminating in New Delhi on the 24th November. Later, on the 25th of November, a two month-long Relay Hunger Strike was launched at Dharamsala, the Headquarter of Tibetan Exile Govt, for the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek. Similar campaigns were also launched in various regions by the regional chapters to add force and synergise the movement.
