Following is a undated blog posting by a friend of Gang.nyi (Kunga Tsangyang) who was sentenced on November 12, 2009 to five years in prison.
First: The Secret Between Gangnyi and I
A few years ago I became a student in the Northwestern Nationalities’ University. One cannot say for sure though that my Tibetan writing was the first guide in my life. But since around that time I made many friends online and got to know them well. Even my friend Theurang became closer not only because we were classmates but we were online friends in the virtual world.
From amongst all my online friends, Gangnyi is someone who made a deep impression on me and was the closest of them all. I am sure that all of you who are friends with him feel very close to him too. I regularly read his thoughts and ideas on his blog. He also said that he read some of my writings on my blog. Perhaps, you, who are full of patriotism and activism, may not know this.
Second: Gangnyi and Yesterday’s News
One place where we can share our heartfelt thoughts is the Tibetan blog site. Though initial bloggers blogged in very high standard of Tibetan writing, it was Gangnyi who made the blog a really happening place. He blogged about current affairs, poetry, essays and many other issues which we want to hear about. And hence readers flogged to his blog like thirsty people to water.
Recently when his blog was shutdown, it gave us a severe warning. But who could have been more concerned about this than Gangnyi himself? A few friends stood up in solidarity with him at that time and I really admire and thank them. But Gangnyi’s courage could not be defeated by such actions as shutting down a blog. He became bolder. He kept on travelling on his chosen road.
His long-haired friends admired him more and their courage grew. And from that time onwards, he found another power in blogging i.e. supplementing his writings with photographs, and to warn about dangers through photographs. Many other bloggers followed his footsteps and now it is an expanding world.
Third: Gangnyi and Today’s World
Yesterday a friend brought the news that Gangnyi was arrested. All of his friends like me were very anxious. Because of the situation at that time, I could not ask this friend anything more about the incident. What this friend told me could be true and it could be wrong too. However, I felt a very real sense of danger and remembered all the blogger friends like Gangnyi.
It is our responsibility to give out information, but when intellectual friends like Gangnyi gets arrested by the authorities, who do not investigate into those who trample yesterday’s issues and today’s situation, I cannot think of anything to write on this blog. I blankly sit in front of this computer.
Four: Talking about Gangnyi’s Colleague Theurang
Who could feel that these days a constant tornado of danger swirl around me?
I have absolutely no desire to tie my tongue by myself. This act is same like those of Chinese intellectuals. Theurang was a college student who left the deepest impressions on me. I know many of my friends are reading this with big wide-eyed interest and attention. Thank you. If you continue reading I will continue to write.
In 2008 much hope was placed on Shar Dungri by people and a lot was achieved thus far. However, many simply stand in solidarity with writers in this collection but not with editor of this book. The reason for this is terribly easy. It is because this book talks about situations and issues that hurt. I am going tell you something that will hurt your heart: Recently the authorities came here like hungry wolves after a sheep, saying that Shar Dungri had spread rumor to scare people. But the fact that investigations are going on regarding this cannot be kept in secret from people.
Perhaps, Theurang’s long hair displeased the authorities because he was severely interrogated about it. His teaching job was suspended saying that they knew about everything, but they did not know anything. Tibetan intellectuals have written clearly in it about this issue and said that all the terrible names such as rioters, looters and arsonists thrown on us were all prearranged.
To tell you one thing more; the authorities told him that when they would see him the next time around, “it would not be pen and paper relation but of life and shackles.” If we look at this statement, there is absolutely no assurance that our educated youth would not be taken anywhere under some pretexts. These gullible people who are hungry for power and promotions are waiting for a chance or an excuse. These opportunists are waiting for a chance to promote themselves: What assurance is there that they will not take away my friend?
Five: Gangnyi and Danger to Intellectuals
There is a statement saying that people are equal in situations and in their causes. But this cannot be seen in my horizon. If this is true, then intellectuals are the main patriotic force and they are also the unbiased searchers of causes for situations. Thus, one must listen and stand whatever intellectuals say or write. One must investigate into any incident. If people get arrested as much as the authorities have handcuffs under the pretext that they have broken laws and crossed boundaries, then, even if there is unlimited supply of handcuffs, there is limit to the patience of the intellectuals.
Translated from Tibetan by Bhuchung D. Sonam.
[OPINION-DISCLAIMER]
