By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, JAN. 25: Tibetans who complied with Chinese government instructions and returned home before the Kalachakra teachings are reportedly being summoned, questioned and their passports made invalid, in a bid to crack down and retrieve information related to the Kalachakra and fellow devotees, reports indicate.
Many Tibetans from occupied Tibet were called back by Chinese authorities prior to the Kalachakra teachings (Dhue-Khor-Wang-Chen) held earlier this month from 2-14 Jan. in Bodh Gaya, India under the tutelage of the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Many who complied with the instructions laced with threat ranging from denial of pensions and government subsidies and even punitive measures towards family members back at home, are being subjected to scrutiny despite their cooperation.
Tibetans from Qinghai province’s Tsoshar prefecture who despite valid visas returned home are reported to be summoned to government offices where they are questioned on numerous details such as which places they visited, what they have brought back and about acquaintances they made during the visit, as well as their passports being made unusable or confiscated, according to Radio Free Asia.
“When they came back, many had their passports taken away from them. Most of the passports held by Tibetans who had traveled from Qinghai province had already been made invalid,” RFA’s source mentioned.
The authorities have also resorted to incentivizing Tibetans in the Tsoshar region with each Tibetan given 500 Yuan (U.S. $72.94) by authorities as a “gesture of thanks for their cooperation, with a promise of a further 2,000 Yuan (U.S. $291.76) to be handed over later,” a source told RFA adding that returnees were also promised that their confiscated passports would be replaced. The same source, playing down official assurances, said, “It is difficult to believe that they will do what they have promised, though.”
With such restrictions meted against those who were forced co-operate, the plight of those who choose to remain and attend the teachings despite threats, do not look good. Phayul’s source in Nepal said that passports of returnees are being torn on arrival at airports in both occupied Tibet as well as other entry points in Mainland China.
“The Chinese government appears to have made a list of all the Tibetans who didn’t return back to Tibet before the Kalachakra as instructed. And when they reach back to their towns and villages, concerned authorities will further subject them to patriotic re-education sessions and worse,” Phayul’s source who wished to remain anonymous earlier said.
Earlier this month, authorities inside occupied Tibet warned those attending the Kalachakra would be met with punishment when they returned. Also those engaging in activities related to Kalachakra teachings will face jail term ranging from months to 5 years. Audio and videos of the teachings and gatherings during the teachings were also forbidden inside Tibet.
Beijing objected to the Buddhist event held in January, presided by the exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama calling it “illegal” while the exile Tibetan government expressed disappointment over the travel restrictions placed on pilgrims and devotees from Tibet.
The setback for Tibetans from inside Tibet when it comes to the Kalachakra teaching has continued for the second year; earlier with the organizers cancelling the event due to the Dalai Lama’s health at the time and Chinese government intervention this year.
