New Delhi, July 18 – Today, two members of the Indian parliament, Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, (M.P), Lok Sabha, and Mr. Kiran Rejiju, M.P., Lok Sabha, visited the hunger strikers to express their solidarity and support. The parliamentarians presented scarves to all the fourteen patriots sitting on the hunger strike to honor their courage and sacrifice.
Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, extending his solidarity to the Tibetans sitting on indefinite fast, pointed out that “Tibetans have the democratic right to live in it’s own way. As China is emerging as a world leader, it should behave as a responsible world leader, by giving Tibetans their legitimate rights. Every people has a right to live on it’s own way and Tibetans do have the same right. China must give Tibetans their legitimate rights.” Finally he appreciated TYC for the “well organized program to draw attention of Chinese government”.
Mr. Kiran Rejiju, MP Lok Sabha, while addressing the hunger strikers stated that “I am deeply concerned with the overall situation inside Tibet which has led TYC to call this indefinite strike for the purpose of fulfilling the five-point demands. I have come here as Indian Parliament Member and as an active supporter of Tibet. It is very heartening to see how much you (hunger strikers) are committed to this cause. Through this platform, I would like to urge the international community, members of parliament around the world, leaders of the governments, to understand the whole issue and to convince, pursue and if necessary pressurize the Chinese Government to understand the human values and to understand the importance of the freedom of the Tibetan people and need for this world to have the unique Tibetan culture to be protected and promoted. Today, Tibet is in trouble. Tibetan culture is under threat and the freedom of Tibet is being suppressed. And I am sure this determination of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) supported by the well wishers will bring a definite result someday and compel the Chinese authority to understand this. And I have often said this before, as a responsible member of the parliament in this great Indian democracy, I don’t want any confrontation or bad relation with the Chinese government. We must have a good relationship. But this relationship must be based on faith and trust and on equal footing. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is asking for autonomy, a genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people. A genuine and true autonomy must be given to the Tibetan people. I appeal to the world community and the Chinese authorities to see the legitimate rights and most reasonable demand of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people. As a democratic person, we will continue to pursue our whole movement and our whole objective for a true free Tibet even if it is within the administrative control of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In true sense Tibetan people deserve their historical right to be govern by themselves. Tibetan people must be given a free hand in running their own affairs. I also appeal my own Indian government to support the cause of the Tibetan people and the demands of the hunger strikers. In his final personal note he commented that, “my life will be incomplete if the rights of the Tibetan people continue to be suppressed.”
Members of Tibetan-parliament-in-exile, Mr. Penpa Tsering and Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, accompanied the Indian Parliamentarians to express their solidarity and wishes to the hunger strikers.
Mr. Lhakpa Tsering, Welfare Officer, Samyelling Tibetan Settlement visited the hunger strikers to express his concern and solidarity. “I extend my deepest solidarity and support to the TYC-led Indefinite Hunger Strike and I wish and pray that aims and goals of the movement will bear fruit. I also pray for the well being of the hunger strikers.” he said.
On behalf of Tibetans living in Dehradun area, Tibetan Welfare Office, Dehradun, has sent a letter of solidarity through Mr. Lhadup Tsering.
The staff members of the Federation of the Tibetan Cooperatives in India Limited visited the hunger strikers and issued a common statement which says, “We empathize with the hunger strikers from the core of our heart and we have sincere prayers for the success of the movement.”
Dr. Mahesh Yadav, Blood Campaigner for Tibet and Albert Dominique, France Tibet Association, visited the hunger strikers to show support and empathy.
TYC is receiving several calls and e-mails expressing their supports from Vienna (Austria), Minnesota and New York & New Jersey in U.S., Belgium, Italy, Germany, and Australia.
