DHARAMSHALA: Hundreds of Tibetans and Tibet supporters gathered at Tsuglakhang, the main Tibetan temple in Mcleod Ganj today to express condolences and solidarity with the sudden death in prison of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, one of the most prominent Tibetan political prisoners and a highly respected spiritual figure.

The prayer service was presided over by Kasur Kirti Rinpoche, the head lama of Kirti monasteries, and was organised by the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration.

The condolence remarks at the prayer service was delivered by Education Kalon Ngodup Tsering who was officiating as the Sikyong.  Kalon Ngodup Tsering spoke about the deteriorating human rights situation inside Tibet under the repressive regime of the Chinese government and urged the authorities to return the body of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche to his family members and disciples.

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was a highly respected Tibetan spiritual figure and one of the most prominent Tibetan political prisoners. He died under mysterious circumstances on Sunday, 12 July, while serving a life sentence in Chuandong prison in the southwestern Chinese Provincial city of Chengdu. Chinese prison authorities notified Tenzin Delek Rinpoche’s sisters of his death on Sunday, however, they have refused to elaborate on the circumstances which led to his death.

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche was widely popular among Tibetans for his efforts to protect the degradation Tibetan culture and religion from the onslaught of repressive Chinese policies. He was also known for his efforts to safeguard Tibet’s fragile environment by advocating against illegal mining and pollution of river waters in Tibet.

He was arrested by Chinese authorities in 2002 in a politically motivated charge accusing of being involved in a bomb blast that occurred in Chengdu city.  The real reason for his arrest by Chinese authorities is believed to be his growing popularity among the public and for his staunch loyalty to His Holiness the Dalai Lama,

He was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on 2 December 2002 even though Rinpoche has maintained innocence in all the Chinese allegations.

Rinpoche’s death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment on 24 January following massive campaigns by Tibetans in exile and appeals from international human rights organisations for his release.