By Phurbu Thinley
New Delhi, August 7: In a letter (Original in Tibetan) addressed to “the Fourteen patriotic and courageous Tibetans on hunger strike and the organizers” Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has today called on them to discontinue with the Indefinite Hunger Strike going on in New Delhi.
Mr Tempa Tsering, Kalon for Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration today visited the indefinite hunger strikers to convey His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s appeal to immediately end their strike.
14 Tibetans have been on Tibetan Youth Congress led Indefinite Hunger Strike in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi since July 8. Today is their 31st day and are demanding direct response from China for violating the rights of Tibetan people in Tibet.
“The present indefinite hunger strike that you have undertaken with such unwavering courage and determination for the Tibetan cause which is entwined with Buddha Dharma is highly commendable and admirable,” His Holiness wrote.
Nonetheless, His Holiness has described the act as being a form of violence and has said, “Simply sacrificing the lives of more Tibetan people is not likely to bring about the positive result that we seek”.
Hence, instead of sacrificing “precious human lives in this way”, His Holiness wrote, “it would be of greater benefit and service to our cause by striving to continuously carry out this spirit of unyielding courage and determination from generation to generation.”
Saying that the immense hardships that the hunger strikers have endured so far, “have fulfilled a key objective”, His Holiness has said, “I earnestly appeal to you all to discontinue your hunger strike immediately. I trust that you will give this request of mine serious consideration.
His Holiness has also mentioned that the act has already “attracted enough publicity and caught the attention of the international community as well as inspired Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet”.
In the letter, His Holiness has further said, “I would further like to request you to dedicate the merits of your sacrifice to the common cause in accordance with the Ever Noble (Samantabhadra) prayers”.
His Holiness’ letter comes on the eve of a major Tibetan Mass Movement being called upon by Tibetan Non- governmental organisations and Tibet Support Groups worldwide in New Delhi tomorrow. According to organisers, the movement is expected to be the single largest demonstration against China by the exile Tibetan community and their supporters.
As of now, there is no indication whether the 14 Tibetans will discontinue with the hunger strike.
With one year countdown to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing beginning tomorrow, elsewhere around the world, Tibetans and Tibet Support groups have long pledged to hold massive protest demonstrations in sports arena, public areas and before Chinese consulates to highlight the plight of Tibetan people.
