New Delhi, October 10: Around 1100 hrs this morning, Tibetan Youth Congress activists stormed into the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, India demanding immediate withdrawal of the recent Chinese order that all of Tibet’s spiritual leaders or Lamas must obtain approval from Communist Chinese state government.
Around 30 activists stormed the Chinese embassy, with some climbing the almost 6-ft front gate to stage protest demonstration inside the embassy compound.
Before many of the protesters were subdued and taken away by Indian police, many activists repeatedly sprayed “Free Tibet” in red paint in English and Chinese on the embassy walls and the main gate.
The embassy’s private security guards could not stop the activists from storming the embassy until the Indian police arrived at the scene some 15 minutes later.
The activists were protesting a recent Chinese order ruling that Beijing must approve all of Tibet’s reincarnate/Living Buddhas, known as ‘Trulku’ in Tibetan.
On September 1 this year, the atheist Communist government of China put into effect a strangulating religious regulation titled- Measures for the Reincarnation of “Living Buddhas” under Order No. 5, mandating all reincarnate Lamas to acquire prior approval from Beijing.
Tibetans and Tibet supporters have been staging regular protests against China’s move to strangulate the Tibetan Buddhist practice saying the rule violates Tibetan people’s basic religious freedom.
15 activists from Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Dharamsala, the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, along with Presidents of RTYC Herbertpur and Hyderabad and some Tibetans from South Delhi took part in the protest.
Tibetan Youth Congress’ newly elected Vice President, Dhondup Dorjee, who was present during the demonstration said the Wednesday’s demonstration is “to demand for the immediate termination of Order No. 5: “Measure for the reincarnation of “Living Buddha” in Tibetan Buddhism issued by China’s State Administration of Religious affairs.
Around 22 protesters are reportedly detained by the Delhi Police following the demonstration. Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat reportedly confirmed the arrest of 22 activists but said no charges would be filed against them.
“They were taken away because demonstrations are not allowed in that area,” Bhagat was quoted as saying by a media report but, denied there had been a breach of security.
Four Tibetan journalists, including Phayul’s Tenzin Dasel were briefly detained and interrogated by the Delhi Police before they were released after verification of their identity.
The Chinese Embassy security personnel had tough time stopping and controlling Tibetan protesters who made a surprise turnout at the Embassy.
China’s order to have a say on the fate of future Tibetan spiritual leaders is seen by Tibetans as a deliberate attempt to undermine the influence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and other influential Tibetan Lamas, who are now mostly based outside Tibet after fleeing China’s religious and political suppression.
China’s attempt to undermine Tibetan Buddhism’s influence in Tibet is not new. The 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who has been recognized by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the previous Panchen Lama, went missing since 1995 after he was abducted away by the Communist Chinese authorities. His whereabouts are still kept secret although China repeatedly said he is alive.
China continues to deprive the 11th Panchen Lama of his Buddhist religious training.
On September 2, Tibetan Government-in-Exile based in Dharamsala has officially issued a statement repudiating China’s Order No. 5 describing the regulation as baseless interference into Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Today’s protest is one of a series in India against what China’s continued attempts to subvert Tibetan culture and identity, and strengthen Beijing’s hold on Tibet.
Photos by Tenzin Dasel
