By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, July 1: The dust over the differing spellings of the Tibetan Prime Minister’s name seems to have finally settled after the organization ‘Voluntary Campaign for Truth’, which took the matter to Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, today announced their decision to withdraw the case.
According to the press statement, the decision to withdraw was made following a private audience with the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama for three key campaigners of the organization on June 3. According to the campaigners, His Holiness the Dalai Lama applauded the initiative and also gave them ‘clear guidance’.
In a press statement, the campaigners have quoted what they were reportedly told by His Holiness. “It is a very good initiative with sense of social responsibility and it has generated awareness among our community. Even the Tibetan Parliament will now pay some attention to it. However, since the results have been declared it would be good if the case is close,” the press statement quoted.
Tashi Yangzom and Kunchok Passang, two of the key campaigners, said, “Our campaign was to create awareness on the importance of respecting the rules and regulations, equality under the law and the need for accountability.”
The Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission on May 17 dismissed the case against the incumbent Sikyong and CEC regarding the differing spellings of the PM’s name in Green Book and ballot paper.
The case was ‘dismissed with prejudice’, which in legal terms means the case cannot be brought back to the court. However, Tashi Yangzom then said she would continue contesting using different means including Indian courts.
A Tibetan lawyer and a former staff of the TSJC, when asked about his views on the withdrawal of the case, said that since the case had already been dismissed there is nothing to withdraw. “The case stands dismissed by the court already, and when there is no case in the court what are they withdrawing?
