DHARAMSHALA, March 12: Hundreds of Tibetan women including nuns and foreign supporters marched today to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the Tibetan women’s uprising against Chinese regime.
Led by the Tibetan Women’s Association, a long procession began from the Tibetan temple towards lower Dharamshala where a gathering was held. A modest opening function was held at the Martyrs Pillar inside the Tsuglakhang premises.
Tashi Dolma, President of the Tibetan Women’s Association, said the Chinese regime led by President Xi Jinping must realize that Middle Way Aproach is the best and practical solution to Tibet issue and that China should not evade the realities before their eyes.
Gyari Dolma, former deputy speaker of the Tibetan Parliament and incumbent Home Minister of the exile Tibetan government, presided over as the chief guest.
A minute’s silence was observed for the Tibetan martyrs before the rendition of the Tibetan national anthem and the Tibetan women’s uprising anthem.
Speaking at the gathering, Dolma said it is not a time for the different NGOs to be divisive but united in Tibetan struggle. “The reason why I thanked the representatives of the various Non Governmental Organizations was that I heard a very disheartening news. We must be able to tolerate both positive and negative things. So to briefly speak about it here on this platform, the right to commemorate March 10th uprising anniversary belongs to the entire people of the three provinces of Tibet. So we must collectively respect the significance and meaning irrespective of what your personal opinions are and work together.”
Dolma encouraged the Tibetan women to individually work hard towards one’s own responsibilities towards the community and the nation. “It is a matter of pride for us Tibetan women that Tibetan women rose up by themselves against the oppressor collectively in huge number despite the death of several Tibetan women,” Dolma said.
Tibetan Women’s Association is a leading Tibetan NGO that supports the Middle Way Approach of the exile Tibetan government. TWA withdrew from organizing groups for the March 10 Procession, reportedly over disagreement in slogans for the protest. Similar incident of division among various NGOs regarding protest slogans and collaboration was reported from New York on March 10.
