By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, March 20: A delegation of Tibetan NGOs has urged Indian politicians and parliamentarians to press China to bring “an immediate end to the crackdown in Tibet” saying “only coordinated and swift diplomatic action” can stop the crisis inside Tibet.
Coordinated by International Tibet Network, the lobby was initiated by Tibetan Women’s Association, Gu Chu Sum Movement for Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet. The delegation completed a two-day Tibet lobby in the Indian capital New Delhi to raise international support for Tibet which has seen 129 self immolation protests since 2009.
The delegation visited offices of various Indian political parties, met with members of parliament and politicians and presented them their appeal letter that contains four points.
The delegation urged the Indian parliamentarians to make a concrete statement against Chinese crackdown in Tibet and to invite the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama to address the Indian Parliament.
Lobsang Tseten, Asia Regional Coordinator of International Tibet Network noted that MPs and politicians have expressed their support for the Tibet cause. Ramachandra Khuntia, MP Rajya Sabha, pledged to write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi about situation in Tibet.
Lobsang Tseten said, “The lobbying of Tibet in India was started four years ago. There had been many Tibet lobby in America and Australia in the past but India being the largest democratic nation, I believe lobbying in India would bring more impact.”
“It was good to see that the leaders of the country are willing to take up the Tibetan issue. A more active approach on their part is the need of the hour,” said Rashi Jauhri, Deputy Program Director of Students for a Free Tibet.
