DHARAMSHALA: A member of the upper house of Indian Parliament has said the world, especially India, should pay more attention on the self-immolation tragedy in Tibet.

Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar, an MP, on 19 March, sent letters to speakers of both the houses of the Indian Parliament on the critical situation in Tibet. (View letter)

Speaking about his letter to Tibetonline TV today, he said: “I believe that young people anywhere in the world, including Tibet, must look forward to a life of hope, build on it towards creating bright future for themselves, their parents and their communities.”

Describing the current situation in Tibet and self-immolation by Tibetans as unacceptable, he said the international community, especially Indians in India, should pay more attention on why so many young Tibetans are setting themselves on fire.

“India has a moral responsibility as the world’s largest democracy to be a flag bearer of hope to any people all over the world, including Tibetans, who are faced with lack of hope. People in Libya, Tunisia and Syria look at India as harbinger of hope because it represents hope for democracy, free speech and the future. So I think India, its people and parliamentarians, have a moral responsibility and we should not take it lightly,” he said.

Mr Chandrasekhar in his letter has requested that His Holiness the Dalai Lama be invited to address the Parliament.

“The issue of Indo-Tibetan friendship and Tibet is something that has not been refreshed in recent times in the minds of Indian legislatures and the public in large. I think it would be fitting for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, especially given the fact that he as a spiritual leader and a person who espouses non-violence and dialogue, to address the Parliament and share his views on world and conflicts in specific. We are democracy, and the views and minds of the Indian citizens have to do a lot with how his or her chosen representatives in the Parliament understand these issues,” he said.

He also spoke about the need to invite Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the democratically-elected political leader of the Tibetan people, to meet the External Affairs Standing Committee of the Parliament. (View letter)

Over 30 Indian parliamentarians and political leaders took part in Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign in New Delhi last month to draw the global attention on the escalating crisis in Tibet. (View report)