The Second Phase of the ALL-INDIA RELAY HUNGER STRIKE to save Tulku Tenzin Delek from execution was organized by the North-East Zone Tibetan Youth Congress Committee under the banner of Tibetan Youth Congres Centrex in Kolkata from 10th – 14th November 2004.
The inaugural ceremony of the Five day campaign saw over a hundred Tibetan participants and Tibet-supporters from RTYC Gangtok, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Shillong, Ravangla, Kurseong, Salugara, Odlabari, Tezu, Miao, Tenzin Gang, Bomdila along with Indian supporters in front of Gandhi Statue on Mayo Road Crossing at Kolkata.
The Chief Guest of the Function was Mr. Subrata Mondal, State Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and other dignitaries including Mr. Beer Singh, representative of ABVP (Jammu and Kashmir), Mr. Rana Biswas, State Media coordinator of ABVP, Mr. Tathagata Chakravarti, event coordinator of Friends of Tibet (FOT), Representative from Tibetan Sweater Seller’s Association and Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institution of Kolkata.
The ceremony began with an introductory speech by the Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee Chunang, General Seretary of TYC followed the address by Mr. Tsering Dhondup, Public Relations Officer of TYC , Mr. Tathagata Chakravati, an events coordinator of FOT followed the address by the Chief guest Mr. Subrata Mondal and there after one minute silence was observed to pay homage to all the martyrs who have sacrificed their life for the freedom of Tibet following the singing of National anthems of Tibet and India. The inaugral function concluded with the saying of invocation prayers.
The first day had over 50 participants sitting on 24 hour hunger strike and rest of the participants were divided for distribution of pamphlets, signature campaign, post card campaign. The Photo exhibiton was held in surround of the Gandhi Maidan. The participants sat uttering prayers for the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek and for the spread of peace and justice the world over. Several hundreds of Indian supporter and the major media groups joined the strikers and expressed their solidarity and support for the cause.
Many thousands of pamphlets were distributed to the bypassers and also the supporters observed the Photo exhibition on Tibet and also signed petitions and postcards addressing to Mr. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General for the the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek. Besides the participants signed a Petition addressed to Hu Jin Tao,the president of China through the Chinese consulate of the city.
The bright and vibrant sight of the banners, posters, national flag and the pamphlets etc attracks media and the supporters that China could never turn a blind eye or deaf ears to the voices of the striking hundreds.
The event recieved an extensive coverage in the newspapers and the television including Reuters, PTI, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Indian Express, Asian Age, Pratidin, Anand Bazar Patrika and numerous other city papers and television channels including Bangla Channel etc.
On 12th Novermber, 2004 at 3.00 pm a Press Conference was organised by Tibetan Youth Congress at Kolkata Press Club to highlight the second phase of All-India Relay Hunger Strike to save Tulku Tenzin Delek. The Press Conference was addressed by Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee Chunang, General Secretary of TYC and Mr. Tsering Dhundup, Public Relations Officer of TYC. It was addressed on the objectives of the Five Days token hunger strike and the details of the campaingn including Signature Campaign, Petition, Postcard Campaign, pamphleteering, Photo Exhibition, Demonstration and Candle Light Vigils etc. They further briefed that the death sentenced imposed on Tulku Tenzin Delek is inhuman and is a reflection of gross violation of human rights in Tibet. Tulku Tenzin Delek was wrongly accussed, unfairly trialed and unlawfully sentenced to death for the crime that he did not commit.
