New Delhi, December 14 – A group of young Indian and Tibetan students here are calling on the Indian government to publicly press Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to bring an end to China’s 50-year occupation of Tibet and to resolve the 40-year Indo-Tibetan border dispute.
A day ahead of Premiere Wen Jiabao’s visit to the Indian capital Tibetan and Indian students unfurled a banner that read, “Tibet’s Independence: India’s Security” at Rajghat, the memorial of India’s father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi.
“The Chinese government’s illegal infiltration into sovereign Indian territory will not end until Tibet once again takes its place amongst free and independent nations,” said Rigzin Spalgon, a Ladakhi student and Delhi Coordinator of Students for a Free Tibet. “As a Ladakhi, I am aware of the arrogance of China’s leadership when it comes to the border issue and I call on all those who believe in India’s independence to support the Tibetan people in their just struggle. A free and independent Tibet only will ensure lasting peace and stability for people living along the Indo-Tibetan border.”
“Our action here today sends a clear message to Wen Jiabao that the youth of this nation will not tolerate China’s blatant attempt to colonize parts of India, nor will we remain silent while China continues to brutally suppress the Tibetan people,” said Shibayan Raha, Grassroots Director of Students for a Free Tibet – India. “The Indian people wholeheartedly support the Tibetan people’s nonviolent struggle for freedom. We call for a long overdue shift in India’s policy on Tibet recognizing the Tibetan people’s right to independence – a position that will also strengthen India’s position in border negotiations with China.”
The New York based group claims there is a growing chorus of Indian students across the country calling on their Government to recognize Tibet as a key factor in resolving its territorial dispute with China.
The group lauded India for sending its Ambassador to Norway to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo on December 10 and urged the Indian leadership to press China to release the jailed Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo.
Tibetans and supporters will carry out protests around the Indian capital during the Chinese premiere’s three-day visit beginning tomorrow. Tibetan groups like the Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, GuChuSum ex political prisoners’ movement, National Democratic Party of Tibet and SFT will also spearhead protest demonstrations in various parts of the city in the next three days.
