The five days token hunger strike has undergone in full swing. On 13th November 2004, the fourth day of hunger strike, the day began with usual prayer meetings for the long life and safety of Tulku Tenzin Delek and all other political prisoners under the Chinese prisons. Besides, pamphlets were distributed, photo exhibition was displayed and signature campaign was organized.
In the afternoon Indian Cricket team took on Pakistan in the BCCI Platinum Jubilee Cricket Match at Eden Garden Cricket stadium, considering this as an great opportunity to highlight our cause, around 15 participants were sent armed with Tibetan flags, banners and placards stating Freedom of Tibet and the Release of Tulku Tenzin Delek. The participants took every opportunity to show the Flags, banner and placards so that it get captured in camera, which was broadcasted live all over the world. They have been successful in their pursuit as not only once but for several times Tibetan flags and banner were shown on television during the Match. Out side the stadium the participants also took every possible opportunity to come in forth of the cameras of the electronic media such as Aaj Tak, Zee News etc.
Besides around 20 participants were sent to distribute pamphlets and to undertake signatures campaigns for the release of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. They got around thousands of signatures and distributed more than thousands of pamphlets to the local and foreigners out side the Eden Garden Cricket Stadium.
14th November 2004 marked the fifth and final day of the hunger strike and by now the participants had completed 108 hours of hunger strike. On this day all the 100 participants set on the hunger strike and put their signatures on a petition which was addressed to His Excellency Shri A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the President of India; Mr. Kofi Anan, the Secretary General of United Nation and Mr. Hu Jin Tao, the President of Peoples’ Republic of China.
At around 5.30 pm the concluding ceremony began with the speech by Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee Chunang, General Secretary of TYC followed by Mr. Tsewang Paljor, ex-Central executive of TYC and Mr. Tsering Dhundup, Public Relations Officer of TYC. Besides, the participants of the hunger strike said prayers and lit candles for the unconditional release of Tulku Tenzin Delek. At around 6.30 pm candle light vigil started from the Gandhi Statue via park street upto metro Cinema, around 150 peoples took part including the participants from North East Zone Tibetan Youth Congress Committee, members of Tibetan Sweater Sellers’ Association and the Indian supporters. The hunger strike movement saw a huge media attention and coverage.
Near Metro Cinema the participants sat and said prayers, while TYC General Secretary and Public Relations Officer went to Raj Bhavan under police escort to submit the memorandum to His Excellency, the Governor of West Bengal addressed to the President of India. On their return the participants rallied back to the Gandhi Statue and on their way they rose anti Chinese slogans and distributed pamphlets. On reaching the Gandhi Statue they lit candles around it as a sign of tribute to the great man’s contribution in India’s Independence.
The hunger strike ended when the Inspector Incharge offered juice to the oldest women participant followed by offering of juice to the rest of the participants by the Central Executives of the TYC. Finally, a briefing by Public Relations Officer of TYC Mr. Tsering Dhundup marked the end of a very successful 5 day long hunger strike in Kolkata.
