No pressure on Tibet Support Groups to root for Middle-Way
Tuesday, 30 January 2007, 1:33 p.m.
Dharamshala: Even as the Tibetan Administration is steadfast in pursuing His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Middle-Way Approach, the Tibet Support Groups across the globe, formed as they are by voluntary initiatives of individuals, are free to support whichever path they deem fit for the Tibetan cause, Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche said.
He was speaking at a ceremony marking the launch of “2007: Intensive Campaign for Tibet” by the Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch yesterday at the Bal Bharati School, Shankar Nagar in Delhi–following the launch by the Core Group for Tibetan Cause on Saturday, 27 January (see article).
Alarmed by the prevailing misconceptions in media on the historical status of Tibet, Kalon Tripa said that His Holiness has never stated that Tibet was historically a part of China, and that His Holiness has only said that in light of the present ground realities, Tibet (now) wishes to become a part of China.
As the true nature of the historical relationship between Tibet and China is very complex, the Tibetan Administration appreciates the futility of getting bogged down in historical facts, and that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has always deemed Tibet’s future more important than its past.
Other speakers who addressed a 150-strong audience on the compelling case for India to support Tibet, were Brigadier Dr. Raj Bahadur Sharma, Mr. S.S. Bajpa ji, Dr. K.C. Agnihotri, Former Governor of Sikkim Khedarnat Saini and Shri Indresh Kumar.
Releasing his book Shri Guruji and Tibbat at the ceremony, Dr. K.C. Aghnihotri said that Shri Guruji (Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golvalkar) was the first to warn India against the likely consequences of Chinese armed repression in Tibet, even as the then government glorified “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai”.
Mr Aghnihotri also reminded how India’s magnanimity was compensated in 1962, with border clashes between Indian and Chinese troops.
Underlining the ongoing religious and social persecution in Tibet, Shri Indresh Kumar said that the year-long campaign must mobilize the Indian masses in persuading their Government to forge negotiations between representatives of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Mr Kumar also said that the Tibetans should be included in the border talks between Delhi and Beijing.
Recalling his experience as the Governor of Sikkim, the chairperson of the conclave, Shri Khedarnat Saini, further reinforced the calls for intensifying India’s support for the Tibetan cause.