Dharamsala, Jan. 20 : The Tibetan government in exile said that China’s attempt to use the ‘Serf Emancipation day’ as propaganda against the Dalai Lama is futile, saying that facts will remain facts despite attempts to falsify them.
The local parliament in Tibet yesterday passed a bill declaring 28 March as a new annual holiday. 50 years ago on 28 March, the Tibetan government was dissolved by the invading communist forces soon after the Dalai Lama escaped to India.
“How much ever they try, Tibetans will remain Tibetan, and nothing can change that,” said the exile government’s minister for religion, Tsering Phuntsok, at a book release function yesterday.
Minister Tsering phuntsok said the so called “serf emancipation” is a blatant disregard to the Tibetan people’s sentiments.
“We all know the reality that China invaded our country with military might in the name of liberation. Though the people in Tibet can’t vent their real thoughts, their actions speak for themselves as to what is going on in their minds against the oppression of the Chinese government.”
China says it freed millions of Tibetans from serfdom of the Dalai Lama and aristocrats 50 years ago while the Tibetans reject the claim saying their country was invaded by People’s Liberation Army for China’s imperialist motives, and that more than a million Tibetans were killed following the invasion.
International Campaign for Tibet called the ‘serf emancipation day’ an effort at rewriting history, which is provocative and irresponsible.
China is making efforts to put the Tibetans in a festive mood as a year draws close since Tibetans staged massive protests against the government in March last year.
According to reports, China is taking measures to encourage Tibetans into celebrating the Tibetan New Year on February 25, 2009 by rewarding people who are willing to celebrate with grandeur. It also plans to organize various festivities on March 28 this year.
