DHARAMSHALA, March 10: Thousands of Tibetans and supporters today gathered at the Tsuglakhang courtyard to participate in the official commemoration of the 56th Tibetan National Uprising day.
The day which began to be observed as the Tibetan Martyr’s Day since 2012 was attended as the chief guest by Claudia Roth, Vice president of the German parliament Bundestag, Chief Justice Commissioner Kagyu Dhondup, Tibetan PM Lobsang Sangay, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament Penpa Tsering, Tibetan cabinet ministers, members of the Tibetan parliament and officials of the Tibetan exile government, among others.
The function began with the proud rendition of the Tibetan national anthem as Sikyong Sangay raised the Tibetan national flag. A minute’s silence was observed in solidarity with all Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet.
Tibetan PM Lobsang Sangay reiterated his government’s commitment to the police of Middle Way Approach in resolving the issue of Tibet. “The Tibetan leadership strongly believes that the only way to resolve the issue of Tibet is through dialogue between the Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the representatives of the Chinese leadership. The Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are ready to engage in dialogue with their Chinese counterpart any time and any place,” said the Tibetan PM.
Sangay said China must live up to its claims that Tibetans have become their own masters. “To make this rhetoric a reality, we urge the Chinese leadership to let Tibetans govern Tibet. As China plans to observe the 50th anniversary of the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), hardliners in Beijing should heed that repression will only generate resentment.”
Sangay thanked all Tibet support groups around the world for supporting justice and freedom for Tibetans. “Amid extremism and violent conflicts around the world, Tibet is a model of moderation and non-violence which is worthy of your continued support. We also express our profound gratitude to the people and Government of India for their generosity and hospitality.”
The Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile also expressed the Tibetan parliament’s resolve to seek a negotiated solution through the middle way approach, which it said was “mutually beneficial to China and Tibet, as a part of our efforts to resolve the current critical situation in Tibet and the wider issue of Tibet.” “We would therefore like to reiterate our call on the leadership of the People’s Republic of China to give up engaging in a blame game and, instead, make use of the opportune moment today to enter into a peaceful Sino-Tibetan negotiation with the urgency the issue deserves”, said Penpa Tsering.
The chief guest Claudia Roth expressed her support to the Tibetan cause saying that China must listen to the calls of the exile Tibetan administration by engaging in a mutually beneficial dialogue process. “Today is really a special day for any Tibetan and a special day for human rights worldwide. We have gathered here in Dharamslaa to mark the 56th anniversary of the 1959 uprising, this uprising is an important chapter in Tibetan and recent world history, it has become a symbol for self-determination and a right to a homeland,” said Roth. She expressed her appreciation for the Tibetan people’s peaceful movement. “Thank you for 56 years of non-violent resistance by the Tibetan people, thank you for your commitment, courage, endless patience. Tibetan people have become a voice of hope, peace and understanding throughout the world. Thank you, my Tibetan family.”
Following the official commemoration, three non-governmental organizations led a public procession from the Tsuglakhang to the local Indian administrative premises at Kacheri. Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters walked with Tibetan national flag, placards and banners.
The public procession which was to have led by five Tibetan NGOs had only three NGOs actually participating. Two Non Governmental Organizations, GuChuSum Movement, a former political prisoners association, and the Tibetan Women’s Association, have withdrawn their participation from the March 10 public procession from Tsuglakhang to Kacheri reportedly over disagreement in protest slogans. The two organizations support the exile Tibetan administration’s policy of Middle Way Approach. Students for a Free Tibet, the Tibetan Youth Congress, and the National Democratic Party of Tibet, however, continued with their protest march and gathering at Kacheri.
On March 10, 1959, Tibetans in the capital city of Lhasa rose up against the Chinese occupying forces, leading to the death of thousands of Tibetans and the eventual escape of the Dalai Lama to exile.
Each year, Tibetans observe the day as the National Uprising Day all over the world.
