By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, October 7: Tibetans and supporters in the Tibetan exile headquarters of Dharamshala held special prayers and led a candle light protest Friday in solidarity with Tibetan self-immolators.
The Central Tibetan Administration held a prayer service at the Tsug-la Khang in honour of Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives in protest against China’s occupation in Tibet. Hundreds of Tibetans, including the Chief Justice Commissioners, Kalons and Members of Parliament paid tribute to Jamyang Palden, Yungdrung, and Gudrup, three Tibetans who recently passed away after setting themselves on fire demanding freedom and the Dalai Lama’s return.
Jamyang Palden, a monk at the Rongwo Monastery in Rebkong, eastern Tibet, succumbed to his injuries at his monastery quarters on September 29, after an ordeal that lasted for more than six months.
On March 14, Jamyang Palden had set himself on fire in protest against the Chinese government on a ground in front of his monastery.
Yungdrung, 27, set himself ablaze in Zatoe town of Yushul, eastern Tibet on September 29, while calling for independence of Tibet, the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Gyalwang Karmapa from exile. He also addressed Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay (the elected leader of Tibetan people) as the “king of Tibet.”
Yungdung reportedly passed away while being taken by Chinese security personnel to a nearby place.
On October 4, a Tibetan writer, Gudrup, 43, set himself on fire in Nagchu town in central Tibet and later succumbed to his injuries.
Before carrying out his self-immolation protest, Gudrup left a last message addressed to all Tibetans calling for unity and pride in one’s race.
“My brothers and sisters of the land of snows, although, looking back at our past, we have nothing but a sense of loss, anger, sadness, and tears, I pray that the coming new year of the Water Dragon brings you health, success, and the fulfillment of aspirations,” Gudrup writes.
“We must distinguish and give prominence to our pride in ourselves as a people and even in the face of loss and suffering, must never lose our courage and spirit in our endeavour to uphold our unity.”
Later in the evening, hundreds of Tibetans and foreigners marched in McLeod Ganj, carrying candles in one hand and with the other, holding a long stretch of khatak (Tibetan scarf) fastened together, as a mark of respect and solidarity with the Tibetan self-immolators.
Organisers said that a similar vigil was carried out in Ngaba, eastern Tibet after the demise of 20-year-old monk Losbang Puntsok who self-immolated on March 16, 2011.
Speaking at the a candle light protest organised by the regional chapters of the Tibetan youth and women’s groups and SFT, India, Tenzin Kalden, a monk who is from Gudrup’s village relayed the last moments before his fiery protest.
“Gudrup went inside a public toilet in the market of Nagchu town, poured kerosene on himself and set himself on fire,” Kalden said citing sources inside Tibet. “He then started walking towards a Chinese government office located nearby but was resisted.”
Gudrup was born in Kham Driru and had one sister and four brothers. He lost his parent at the very young age.
Gudrup had stayed in India for over a year and upon his return to Tibet in 2006, was arrested and later released in 2008.
Gudrup always had a keen interest in Tibetan history and kept a blog. Two of his short writings have emerged, one written in March 2012.
