“We are involved in this Movement, we would like to know clearly the reasons about the withdrawal of the Mass Movement”
By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
Kathmandu, August 21 – The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) led Tibetan Mass Movement against China in the Indian capital of New Delhi was reportedly participated by over 20,000 Tibetans from India, Nepal and other countries. It is somehow considered the biggest gathering of Tibetans in exile since 1959.
According to TYC, the first phase of the Movement has ended successfully with the end of the indefinite hunger strike by 14 Tibetans and one day peaceful demonstration in Delhi. The organisation later issued a statement stating reasons for withdrawing the hunger strike going on for 33rd day. However, there has been much grumblings among Tibetans that it did not turn out to be as much as they expected and pointing the blame on the TYC leaders for their complete lack of planned action strategies. There others who lambasted that it turned out to be a Mess movement with no proper direction.
Here in Kathmandu, the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) called a meeting on August 19 to release the details of the Tibetan Mass Movement and its incurred budget, and answered questions from the public at Chonjor Hall, Boudha.
RTYC Executive member Chime read out the press release of the TYC explaining the reasons and conditions for ending what the TYC says is the first phase of the Tibetan Mass Movement.
Another RTYC Executive member Miss Tsomo read out the budget details of the RTYC Katmandu for the Movement. According to her, the RTYC Kathmandu received donation amount of over 27,00,000 Nepali Rupees from Tibetan people and organisations in Nepal and ended up spending over Rs. 20,00,000 for traveling, food and accommodation. According to her, the expenses were incurred on over 250 RTYC registered participants from Nepal and the remaining amount of over 700,000 Rupees was handed over to TYC Centrex.
Tsomo said that Tibetans from Nepal should be proud of what they have done to support the Tibetan Movement.
President of RTYC Kathmandu Mr Tenzin Wangdu addressed the gathering and thanked all the Tibetans for their overwhelming support and participation in the Mass Movement. The Executive members later answered some questions from the public.
During the question-answer session, many were of opinion that people should continue to support the TYC and the Movement. TYC Executive Tsomo La said that, “everyone has worked for a cause, TYC has arranged this Movement, we have seen how hard TYC members have worked for the Movement, it is not a question of one day, sometimes it would be successful and sometimes not, but we have to continue our struggle and should not criticize those who work hard for our cause”.
Dorji, a young man from Jwalakhel who participated in the Movement said that the one day protest was not satisfying as he said he had prepared for and was expecting a beginning of a Tibetan Revolution when he decided to join the Movement. He added, “On 8th August we stayed at Jantar Mantar shouting slogans, we supported TYC and depended on TYC that they would lead us as we followed them. We thought they have a definite plan of action but they did not announce anything. Around 11:00PM that night our RTYC members told us that we could come back again the following day. So we left the venue, but on August 9 they started sending back people to their settlements and we had to return half hearted … in the future I would like see their action plan first before deciding to join them.”
“We are involved in this movement and we would like to know clearly the reasons about the withdrawal of the Movement. The press release was not satisfying” Mr Dorji said.
Tibetan Youth Congress has said that they would continue the struggle for freedom and independence of Tibet and Tibetans. Another participant Lobsang from Swoyambu said, “Why did TYC get permission only for 3000 people when they were expecting over 20,000 people”. “The bottom line of this Movement is that either Tibetans are ‘peaceful people’ or, ‘not daring’ or, ‘wish to maintain the tag of peaceful people of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ or, there is no Tibetan leader besides His Holiness who would dedicate his life for our cause and lead us to freedom”.
