Tibetan Headlines
Jun 4: Nepal Warned of Tibet’s Fate
Indian politician Yogi Adityanath has warned the government of Nepal to consider the fate of Tibet before restructuring its borders with India and China. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister emphasised the strong links between Nepal and India stating that, “the two countries have cultural, historical and mythological links that date back to several centuries and Nepal should remember this”.
Jun 4: PLA Exercises in Tibet
China’s media have been reporting on Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) exercises taking place in Tibet. According to the reports troops were sent to the region “at night for infiltration exercises behind enemy lines and tested their combat capability under a harsh environment”. The training reportedly took place in the Tanggula Mountains with a PLA commander adding that “more than 2,000 munitions, including mortar shells, rifle grenades and rockets were fired”.
Jun 3: HH Dalai Lama Announces June Teachings
His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama has announced five online teachings to be delivered during June. These will include the Bodhichitta Ceremony on the full moon day of June 5. Tibetan official, Tseten Sandip Chhoekyapa, explains that, “the full moon day of the Saka Dawa month is a very auspicious occasion when a public ceremony… is done here at Thekchen Choeling, the dominating Tibetan Temple at McLeod Ganj”.
Jun 3: Potala Palace to Reopen
Chinese officials have announced the reopening of Tibet’s Potala Palace. The residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, until his enforced exile in 1959, has been closed to the public since January 27 in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Chinese state media report that visitors will be required to make online reservations whilst the number of visitors “will be strictly controlled”.
Jun 3: Tibetan Street Vendors Targeted
Reports have emerged of Chinese police in Chengdu forcing Tibetan street vendors to cease trading and confiscating their goods. Videos on social media appear to show Tibetan traders pleading with police, with one woman asking why they are being treated “differently” from other vendors. A local source commented that, though officials cited hygiene issues, in reality Chinese authorities are “more concerned about the large crowds of Tibetans” the area attracts.
Jun 2: Tibet the Solution to China-India Dispute
The President of the exiled Central Tibetan Administration, Lobsang Sangay, has declared that “resolution of the issue of Tibet will automatically solve the boundary dispute between India and China”. Speaking to Indian media Sangay observed that border issues with India only became an issue following China’s occupation of Tibet, adding that “once Tibet is demilitarised and declared a zone of peace… India and China, will have permanent peace”.
Jun 2: Stobdan’s HH Dalai Lama Apology
Former Indian diplomat Phunchok Stobdan has apologised for comments about His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama that have been described as “shocking and outrageous”. Following widespread criticism of remarks questioning HH’s role in current China-India tensions over Ladahk, Stobdan apologised, stating that his “comments were made in a proper spirit, my wordings may have been wrong, and some words have not been conveyed properly. . . I deeply apologize”.
Jun 2: Calls for US to Recognise Entire Tibet
Following the introduction of the of the Free Tibet Act 2020 to the United States (US) Congress activists are calling for the whole of Tibet to be recognised not just the Chinese administered Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Whilst commending the legislation as “a historic milestone” and “an important moment” Tibetans activists have observed that the Chinese formed TAR is “almost half the size of actual Tibet”.
Jun 1: Tibetans in Quarantine Test Negative
A group of Tibetans, quarantined following their return to Dharamshala, are reported to have tested negative for COVID-19. The group of 18 returnees are being monitored at Shugsep quarantine facility near Delek hospital for 14-days, prior to an additional 14-days of home quarantine. The exiled Central Tibetan Administration Health Department has advised that “self-isolation is the best medicine until and unless medication or vaccine to cure COVID-19 is available”.
Jun 1: Apology to HH for Online Teaching Criticism
Tulku Orgyen Tobgyal, a Tibetan Buddhist lama who criticised His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama for delivering online teachings and empowerments, has apologised. Following censure from several Tibetan organisations Tobgyal has issued a statement “withdrawing my recent words, and tendering my apology to His Holiness the Dalai Lama”.
Jun 1: Criticism of HH Dalai Lama Sparks Backlash
Comments by former Indian diplomat, Phunchok Stobdan, criticising His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama’s failure to speak about Chinese activity in Ladakh along with the suggestion that HH may be “in collaboration with China", have been described as “blasphemous language hurting the sentiments of all Buddhist communities”. Following Stobdan’s comments Thiksey and Diskit monasteries in Ladakh have issued statements demanding an “unconditional apology” for the “highly objectionable” remarks.
May 30: Tibetan Settlement in Delhi Sealed
Areas of Samyeling Tibetan settlement in Delhi has been sealed as a precaution following a positive COVID-19 test. A woman who recently visited the settlement tested positive for the virus on Thursday. Settlement officer, Phuntsok Topgyal, reports that “as soon as we came to know about the case on Thursday, we have placed four Tibetan nurses in quarantine and sealed the Ngagpa monastery area in consultation with Indian… authorities”.
May 30: CTA Advises Continued Lockdown
The president of the exiled Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Lobsang Sangay, has “reemphasised the need for Tibetans to stay in at home during the peak months of May and June” in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. Without a vaccine Sangay described quarantine measures as “the only preventive measure which ensures the safety of our family, friends and the community”.
May 30: HH Dalai Lama Condemns Racism
His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama has condemned “racial discrimination not to mention killings” pointing out that it is “the concept of sectarianism that has caused violence and conflict”. Calling on people to priorities compassion, HH warned that without caring for each other “one’s life gets carried away by jealousy, pride, arrogance, and hatred which will eventually deprive oneself of happiness”.
May 30: Over 1million Listen to HH Dalai Lama
As a result of COVID-19 restrictions His Holiness (HH) the Dalai Lama has moved his teachings online through webcasts, in the process attaining “more than a million” attendees. Live webcasts of HH, broadcast in multiple languages, have been welcomed by a large audience as, “at least 750K people have viewed his teachings in English version within 12 hours and thousands more in other languages including 300K views of Tibetan version”.