The Hunger Strikers complete the ninth day at Jantar Mantar today (16 July 2007), at the Tibetan Youth Congress led indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi, India. The fourteen determined Tibetan hunger strikers, though losing their health by not taking any food for the last nine days, are highly committed and in high spirits, trusting that their legitimate demands will be fulfilled.
As their health becomes weak, the number of conversations among the hunger strikers has dropped. Talking consumes energy, which they lack. However, “when people come to visit to the hunger strikers, their energy gets replenished and shows in delight on their faces. They obviously feel happy when people come to see them,” said Mrs. Tsering Lhamo, who is among the second batch of hunger strikers assisting the current strikers.
Tibetan visitors are pouring in from all nooks and corners of India to express their gratitude and solidarity for the courageous act of the Indefinite Hunger Strike. Among these are a representative of the Nainital Tibetan Community, a representative of RTYC Shillong, a group of monks from Drepung Gomang and Drepung Loseling, and individuals from Bylakuppee and Mainpat, as well as Tenzin Gyalpo (Michael), a Tibetan pop singer. The leaders of the Tibetan Residential Welfare Association (Gyathue Lekhung), and the Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement, Samyelling, Delhi, long supporters of TYC, also visited the hunger strikers in their official capacity to formally demonstrate their support of this movement.
Mr. Vijay Kranti, a prominent journalist and a long-time friend of Tibet, visited the hunger strikers to express his solidarity and support. He has visited Tibet a few times in the past. TYC executives greeted him with great honor and requested him to address the hunger strikers.
“Today, it is an encouraging fact that the number of Tibet supporters when counted is more than the number of Tibetan population. However, it is crucial that Tibetans lead this struggle themselves. Without the responsibility and initiative of the Tibetans themselves, Tibet supporters cannot do anything. Hence, it is very important that Tibetans lead and take the initiative in their own struggle. Tibet supporters will follow you,” he said.
Mr. Kranti recounted his observations during his visits to Tibet: “The patriotism of Tibetans in Tibet is strong and deep. As they challenge the brutal Chinese regime from within Tibet, they have high hopes and expectations from their Tibetan brethren living outside Tibet in the free world to carry on the struggle from outside. Therefore, I congratulate the hunger strikers for putting forth the efforts to meet their hopes.”
Today, on behalf of the hunger strikers, the TYC President submitted the second memorandum to the President of the People’s Republic of China through the Chinese Embassy in India, asking to meet the demands of the hunger strikers. The letter says that the demands put forth by the fourteen hunger strikers correspond to statements of the PRC itself. The only thing they are asking is for evidence to support these statements. The letter also strongly points out that “If the Tibetans on indefinite fast should die without these demands being realized, then the onus will be on the People’s Republic of China (PRC). If China fails to respond to the demands of the hunger strikers before 7 August, a massive public gathering will demand that the Chinese government allow all Tibetans in exile to go into Tibet and witness its current state. Until there is a satisfactory response from the PRC, the movement will continue. The PRC will be responsible for any outcome of the movement.”
The Indefinite Hunger Strike at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, is part of the Tibetan Youth Congress-led People’s Movement, pressing demands for accountability from China regarding the Tibet situation. Current updates and photos at http://www.tibetanyouthcongress.org
