By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 12: Following the closure of a Chinese restaurant in Rebkong (Ch: Tongren) County in Malho (Ch: Huangnan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province for banning the speaking of Tibetan language within the premises of the hotel, the local authorities have issued a new directive making the Tibetan language mandatory along with Chinese.
The new notice prescribes the use of Tibetan language with equal standing to that of the Chinese; any official letter, notice, stamp, covering letter should henceforth be written in Tibetan in the fore followed by Chinese with same font size. The directive is to be effective from Jan.13.
MP Bawa Kelsang Gyaltsen speaking to VOT Radio Services said, “Although such development shows the Chinese authority exercising a slight improvement compared to earlier incidents where Tibetans speaking up for language rights were persecuted and deemed ‘separatists’. But then again, what has been implemented is what should have been done from the beginning as per the Chinese constitution to protect the local language.”
Last week, reports emerged from the restive Rebkong region where a Chinese owned and operated establishment Hotel Shangyul issued a five point rule of engagement, one of which is barring the use of Tibetan language. A fine of 500 Yuan was to be imposed on anyone speaking Tibetan and might risk losing their job. The hotel has since been closed following strong opposition by local Tibetans.
