By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 2: Two senior leaders of the Indian political party Janata Dal United made a short visit to Dharamshala today visiting the Central Tibetan Administration’s different departments, meeting few cabinet members and to observe the exile Tibetan government.
JDU General Secretary Arun Kumar Srivastava stressed that the party has always stood for Tibet’s independence and in line with CTA’s policy shift to ‘Middle way Policy’; he shall continue to encourage the new path. “I am not an admirer of this (MVP), but if this is viable to the Tibetan struggle then I would encourage it. But either of the policy should be wary of the continuous mobilization of huge number of ethnic Chinese people inside Tibet which can pose irreversible repercussions to Tibet and its people,” said Srivastava.
Asked if India is looking out for a particular policy with view to its strategic benefits to India, he replied, “A potential geopolitical implication for India is a secondary thought, Tibet should steer ahead with its own agendas and future in mind.”
National Secretary of the JDU, Afaque Ahmad Khan revealed that his connection to Tibet is a special tryst, as the first arrest in his political and activism career was when he along with former Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes led a protest for Tibet against the then Chinese Premier Li Peng during the latter’s visit to the Indian capital.
“The Party has always been there for Tibet and will continue our support. You can always come to us in the future for any sort of support from me and the party” said Khan.
Tibetan MP Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok remarked that the JDU party has five Indian parliamentarians from both a Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha in the ‘All Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet’. He thanked the party, its President Sharad Yadav and the Bihar state CM Nitish Kumar for his unending support and consideration for Tibetans and Buddhists who flock the state as pilgrims.
Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok while thanking the JDU leaders said, “We are always grateful for the your thoughtfulness towards us. I urge you to support the Tibetan refugees not only politically but also through looking out for the Buddhist pilgrims, Tibetans doing businesses in the Bihar state and most importantly raise the issue of Tibet in the upcoming January party meet”.
