Dharamshala: Shri Gyal P Wangyal, Chairman/Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council along with the Deputy Chairman Tsering Samdup and the Executive members visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on 9 December.
Speaker Pema Jungney along with Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok and Members of the Standing Committee received the honourable Councillors at the Conference cum Library of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile with khatak, a traditional Tibetan scarf.
Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok gave the welcome address, he expressed his warm greetings to the Council, and introduced the members of the Standing Committee of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile to them.
Followed by Speaker Pema Jungney’s address, who began by elucidating on the evolution of Tibetan democratic polity that was bestowed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Tibetan people. In 1960, during a long life prayer offering to His Holiness the Dalai Lama by the people from the three provinces of Tibet and the four religious sects, Tibetans vowed to stay united under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness at that time advised Tibetans to elect 3 representatives each from the three provinces and 1 representative each from the four Buddhist religious Schools. Accordingly, 13 elected Parliamentarians then referred to as Deputies took their oath and the first Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, then referred to as the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies was established on 2nd of September 1960. Since then, Tibetans across the world have commemorated this day as Democracy day.
Speaker explained about changes in the composition of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in detail, from increase in the number of Deputies to the allotment of separate reservation for women in the Parliament. Until 1990 Ministers (Kalons) were directly appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which changed from 2001, when Kalon Tripa now known as Sikyong, began to be directly elected by people. In 2011, His Holiness the Dalai Lama devolved his political power and handed over that power to Sikyong, who is directly elected by the Tibetan people, living across the world.
The Speaker further explained on the composition of the current 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the features of exiled Tibetan democratic system that is unicameral or partyless system, where candidates for Sikyong and Parliamentarians are elected directly by people, unlike other democratic system with political parties, where the candidates are chosen by their respective political parties. Similarly, the Speaker spoke about the Parliamentary Sessions which is held twice a year as per the instructions of the Charter of Tibetan administration and about the Standing Committee’s meeting which is held twice a week.
Next, Shri Gyal P Wangyal, the Chief Councilor of Ladakh Development Hill Council in his address explained the functioning of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council that was established in 1995 after numerous appeals to the central government. Currently, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council has 30 Councilors, out of which 26 are elected from BJP, Congress, and Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and 4 Councilors are directly appointed from the central government. Since, Ladakh has become a Union Territory (UT), Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council takes all the responsibilities. The Chief Councilor expressed their wish to learn from Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), as all the projects on the development of Ladakh and preservation of its distinct culture fall under the Hill Council. He then spoke about their meeting with the Sikyong and Cabinet Members, and the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and members of the Standing Committee that day, and the following visit to various departments of the CTA. Finally, he concluded by assuring their continued support to the Tibetans residing in Ladakh.
Thereafter, Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok in his address congratulated the Councilors for Ladakh on becoming a Union Territory and outlined the differences between the agendas discussed in Tibetan Parliament and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council or Indian Parliament. In Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council or Indian Parliament, discussions are held on the region’s economy or national economy, foreign affairs, protection of citizen, etc. whereas in Tibetan Parliament, discussions are held on keeping up the Tibetan struggle, advocating for Tibet on international platforms, etc. The Deputy Speaker further spoke about the sources of budget of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), which are voluntary contribution from Tibetans, foreign aids, and others, which are subsequently sanctioned for education, health, public welfare, and politics through Budget Session of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
Deputy Speaker then informed about the situation inside Tibet, where Tibetans are resisting against the repressive policies of Communist Party of China. Beginning from 2009, 154 Tibetans, whose ages range from 15 to 64 years old, have self-immolated to protest the Communist Party’s policies. Chinese government has turned Tibet into a war zone, creating equally troubling situations for neighbouring countries.
Following that Deputy Speaker thanked Ladakh and its people for their support to Tibet’s issue until now. Initially when Tibetan refugees arrived at Ladakh, Bakula Rinpoche and many other political and administrative officials supported Tibetans during those hard times. Similarly, former Parliamentarian Thupten Tsewang, MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, and many others are still supporting Tibetans in their individual capacities.
Until now, seven ‘World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet (WPCT)’ were held and the Deputy Speaker briefed them about documents related to the WPCTs. At the same time, he urged them to go through it and provide more support for Tibet’s issue.
At last Deputy Speaker wished for success in every initiative undertaken by Ladakh as a Union Territory under the Article 239 of the Constitution of India and expressed happiness in receiving and meeting the Ladakh Hill Council at the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
Finally, they visited Parliament hall along with Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and members of Standing Committee of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
– Filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat