New Delhi: India-Tibet Friendship Society (ITFS), Bihar and Shree Krishna Jubilee Law College, Muzaffarpur jointly organised a seminar on Tibet’s sovereignty and Tibetans’ Right to Self-determination last Thursday.

Surendra Kumar, Vice-President, India-Tibet Friendship Society introduced ITFS and the role played by national leaders such as Jaiprakash Narayan, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, Deen Dayal Upadhyay, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, Dr Rajendra Prasad, S. Nigalingappa, George Fernandes and other national leaders for the cause of Tibet. He described Tibet as an independent country before the Chinese invasion and occupation in 1959.

Prof Jayant Kumar, Director, SKJ Law College, Muzaffarpur, in his inaugural address, said that Tibet was a fully sovereign country in the past until it was forcibly occupied by China between 1950-59. He added that if India had played its due role at that time, China could not have succeeded in its ulterior motive. “It is the duty of not only Indians but every citizen of the world to stand with Tibetans”, he said.

Prof. Pramod Kumar, Inspector of Colleges, BBRAU University, Muzaffarpur and Member, of Executive Committee of ITFS, Bihar was the chief guest at the seminar. In his presentation, he dealt with the history of Tibet. He described Tibet as a sovereign country in ancient times and talked about its rich culture of Tibet and the significance of Tibet as the roof of the world and the source of water in South East Asia. He criticised Chinese rule over Tibet, the absence of civil liberty and the lack of human rights in Tibet.

Prof. K. N. Tiwary, Principal, S. K. J. Law College talked about violations of international laws and treaties in Tibet by the PRC. He expressed surprise at the silence of UNO and the so-called big powers of the world. He urged the building of strong public opinion for Tibet. Pramod Kumar Sharma, Vice-President expressed the need for creating awareness about Tibet, especially among the Intellectuals in general and youths in particular.

The pioneer of Brajmohan Kumar Azad, Vice-Principal, SKJ Law College paid tribute to (Late) Shri Rajnarain Rai pioneer of Tibetan Cause for often organising such programmes. He called out the solidarity of every Indian in voicing against the violation of human rights in Tibet. He requested the Indian government to raise the Tibet issue on the global platform compelling China to negotiate with Tibet to resolve the Sino-Tibet conflict.

Dr Brajesh Kumar Sharma in his speech appealed for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to be invited to address the joint session of the Indian Parliament by the Speaker and the Prime Minister. In addition, he made an appeal to confer His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

–Filed by ITCO, New Delhi