By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 12: The Tibetan Youth Congress victoriously put an end to their indefinite hunger strike yesterday in New Delhi after the United Nations office gave written assurances to address their demands.
In a letter delivered in person by Mr.Yuri Asanasiev, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in India, UN Assistant Secretary General of the office of the Human Rights Commissioner Ivan Simonovic requested the hunger strikers to call off the initiative and gave assurances that the demands will be addressed. The letter also mentioned that the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is concerned about the health of the hunger strikers.
TYC President says, “the power of non violent methods of resistance and the fact that as we come together for our country as one- we win, as is evident from the victory”
“This is a huge victory for the Tibetan people” he said.
Activist and poet Tenzin Tsundue expresses little hope of what may transpire in real time of the assurance made by the UN. He says, “The UN is a failed story like the predecessor the ‘League of Nations’. I’m surprised the UN responded to our people’s demands this time, but the fact that the UN responded only when people are dying dispels the trust in the high ideals the UN promises.”
The initiative by the largest pro independence organization of the Tibetan Diaspora that went on for 32 days had three of the executive members of the TYC Centrex, Tamdin Hrichoe, Tenzin Wangchuk and Tsewang Dolma take part in the ‘indefinite hunger strike’ with their three aims and five demands from the United Nations. Tsewang Dolma was taken to hospital on Sep. 30 when the police saw her deteriorating sign of health as life threatening, escorting her to the RML Hospital in Delhi against her wishes.
Tamdin Hrichoe who is currently recuperating along with Tenzin Wangchuk hopes that the developments have served as an inspiration to the Tibetan youth and evokes a renewed sense of nationalism and patriotism amongst them. Thanking the people he said, “That kind of support and unity is very important in our struggle and it must continue in order for us to get our country back”.
The makeshift tent at Jantar Mantar where the three sat on strike was visited by many prominent figures from the Indian Political fraternity as well as CTA officials like Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, Kalon Dolma Gyari, Kalon Dickyi Choyang, Deputy Speaker of the TPiE, many members of Tibetan Parliament in Exile including Karma Yeshi, a serving MP and former TYC executive member who was in the delegation of TYC that visited the UN office in Delhi recently.
The end of the 32 day long ordeal saw a solidarity concert with popular Indian rock band Parikrama perform at the site of the hunger strike along with poetry recitals and unabated victory for the organizers and supporters alike. TYC President Jigme spoke conclusively, “The idea is that we have to use all our resources, ideas and be strategic, Therefore such events help us in achieving our overall goals”.
