By Tenzin Dickyi
New Delhi
The members of Tibetan Youth Congress who were detained in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since March 10 were released last night after 14 days of detention, which is considered to be the longest stay in prison in the last 4 to 5 years. They were detained for protesting in and around the premises of the Chinese embassy on the 48th Tibetan National Uprising Day on which day back in 1959, tens of thousands of Tibetans risked their life to protect their nation and their beloved leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Residents of Samyeling Tibetan colony also known as Majnu-ka-Tilla organised a reception in honour of the released members of TYC. More than 150 audience gathered last night to welcome those 28 detainees who without any fear faced the great challenge to risked their life and protested outside the Chinese Embassy. The gathering was addressed by TYC’s Information Secretary, Dhondup Dorjee about the campaign and its overall success.
Mr. Dhondup said that detaining the TYC members for 14 days clearly reveals the amount of success this campaign has achieved. The detention was extended to 14 days due to the pressure from Chinese authorities from the Embassy who have lodged complaint to the Minister of External Affairs. The MEA pressurized the Ministry of Home, which led to the extension of hold on the TYC detainees.
The video clipping of the protest when these TYC members stormed the Chinese Embassy was captured by phayul.com and it was screened for the audience present there last night. The amount of determination and courage that one needs to face such challenges were so clearly visisble on the faces of those detainees who protested outside the Chinese Embassy. The video clipping was very inspiring and it definitely did set the audience on blaze reminding the brutal occupation of Tibet by the Communist Chinese.
“I am not so satisfied. I could have done something more than this”, said Kusho Jigme Kocha who went unconcious and collapsed after a scuffle with several Police forces after the protest and was taken immediately to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital by the Chanakyapuri police station and addmited there for medications. Kusho Jigme Kocha lak was an ex political prisoner and was sentenced for more than 2 years in Drapchi Prison for carrying Tibetan National Flags, documents, and pictures of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Panchen Rinpoche.
Mr. Nawang Lobsang, General secretary for RTYC Dharamsala, who was one of the detainee briefed on the experience they had in the jail. They also extended their heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals and organizations who showed immense support for them by bringing them food and any other necessities in the jail. And he adds that these kind of jestures encourages them to undertake more such protests in the near future.
In those 14 days in Tihar jail they had composed a song which was sung for the audience last night. The lyrics of the song calls for the unity of Tibetans all the world and to rise above all adversities to bring back the freedom of Tibet.
Later, the activists were felicitated with the offering of traditional scarf by various organizations and dinner was hosted in the honour of the activists.
