By Tendar Tsering
DHARAMSHALA, May 25: The National Democratic Party of Tibet today convened its 6th National Convention Meeting here in the Tibetan exile headquarters of Dharamshala.
Delegates from different parts of India are gathered for the three-day meeting, to chart future course of action and to elect its next executive members.
NDPT is the only political party functioning under the exile Tibetan democratic set-up. Although, not recognised as a political party by the Central Tibetan Administration, as currently the Charter of the Tibetans in exile has no provision for multi-party democracy, NDPT has been participating in the Tibetan general elections with its own list of candidates.
Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche presided over the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest. Representatives of various NGOs including the Tibetan Youth Congress were also present at the meeting.
“It is important to strengthen yourself in order to be first recognised by the Central Tibetan Administration and then by the international community,” Kriti Rinpoche said in his address.
Rinpoche, who is the head lama of the Kirti Monastery, which has been at the centre of the ongoing self-immolation protests in Tibet, blamed the Chinese government for provoking the fiery wave of protests.
“China has ruled Tibet with an iron fist, systematically clamping down on the Tibetan people’s religious freedom and basic human rights,” Kirti Rinpoche said. “Even as Tibetans are burning themselves demanding freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Chinese government is forcing Tibetans to sign petitions pledging love for the Chinese government and sending delegates abroad to tell the world that Tibetans are happy under Chinese rule.”
Chime Youngdung, the president of NDPT, urged the delegates to hold serious discussions on ways to bring stability and acceptance to the political party.
The two-time president said that the convention will deliberate on proposals to amending certain rules and policies of the party and also brainstorm on political activities aimed at the restoration of Tibet’s independence.
Security of the Dalai Lama is also on the agenda of the three-day meeting.
Founded on September 2, 1994, Tibetan Democracy Day, NDPT currently has over 5000 members under 36 regional chapters in India, Nepal and Bhutan.
