By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, September 18: The sit-in protest outside the Tibetan Parliament in Exile by over a hundred people demanding representation for Jhonang Tradiiton took an ugly turn on Thursday when a few protestors mobbed a member of the Tibetan Parliament and allegedly manhandled him as he was entering the parliament on Thursday.
Videos show a representative of Sakya Tradition, Gazi Geshe Tse Ringpo, who had expressed his opposition to allotment of seats for Jhonang, being mobbed by protesters right outside the parliament. The pleading protestors were seen shoving documents and papers in his hand while few were manhandling him. The protesters have circulated posters in Tibetan that read, “Sakya MP Gazi Tse Ringpo, Kagyu MP Karma Choephel, Utsang MP Karma Yeshi and Dotoe MP Tsuiltrim Tenzin must explain their opposition to Jhonang followers.”
Following the incident, the Tibetan Parliament in Exile currently holding its tenth session, unanimously decided not to discuss on the amendment of the charter to make way for the allotment of two seats for Jhonang tradition.
Speaker Penpa Tsering, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay and Deputy Speaker met with the protesters outside the parliament to announce the decision made by the House.
“Many members have expressed their dejections and the support for Jhonang has declined. The House also felt that it would be hard to put forward the amendment and even if it was tabled in the parliament, it would be difficult for them to support it,” the Speaker said.
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay said that the decisions made by the parliament based on democratic principles should be upheld. “We stick to the decision made by the previous government of former Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, which recognizes Jhonang as an independent sect and provide proper facilities.”
He also added that the present Kashag abide by the guidance of His Holiness to provide necessary platform to the tradition to speak their views, be it during special meetings or at the religious conference.
However, dissatisfied with the clarification and the decision, Jhonang followers today came up with a new seven-point-demands that was directed towards the Speaker and Sikyong. Along with the new demands, nine protesters sat on a hunger strike while the rest would continue with the protest.
“The nine individuals have voluntarily decided to stay on hunger strike till all the seven demands are met,” said Tsangyang Gyatso, President of the Jhonang Welfare Association-in-Exile.
Denying reports of any scuffle, Gyatso stood by his members and advocated their innocence in the incident and said, “There were no physical assaults. Such actions would be unrewarding for both the parties.”
