By Tenzin Sangmo
New Delhi, August 4 – Some 250 members from the Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet (HIMCAT) across the belt of Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh expressed their solidarity and support for Tibet by participating in a peace march from Rajghat to Jantar Mantar today. Various Tibet support groups in the Himalayan region have condemned the unfortunate development in the Buddhist nation with China’s violent behavior towards monks, nuns and the common man. They termed these acts as ‘cultural genocide’ against the minority Tibetan race.
The supporters joined the peaceful demonstrators at Jantar Mantar and were welcomed by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee. A memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh to urge their northern neighbor to engage in peaceful resolution on the Tibet issue and stop violating fundamental rights.
Ven. Sona Rinpoche from Arunachal Pradesh and Bhante Vishwa Bandhu addressed those gathered pledging undying assistance in the face of present predicament in Tibet. The HIMCAT also announced the commencement of a week long hunger strike beginning today as a sign of backing and resistance against China’s brutal occupation and oppression of the Tibetan people.
The support hunger strikers will join a fifty odd group of sit in demonstrators from Phendeling, the Mainpat Tibetan Settlement who have been protesting everyday at Jantar Mantar close to two weeks now. Executive members from the Regional Tibetan Women’s Association and others from the local Tibetan settlement in Delhi have been rallying at the venue since March. Butter lamps are lit everyday for the souls of the departed and those who continue to suffer in Chinese prisons.
