Tibet Sun
May 17, 2016
Mussoorie BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi begins cycling as TYC President Tenzing Jigme looks on, in Dekiling Tibetan Settlement, India, on 17 May 2016.TYC/Handout
Forty-five members of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) have started a cycle rally to bring awareness about the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who has been out of public view since 1995.
“We seek accurate information about Gedhun Choekyi Nyima’s whereabouts and well-being, and we urge the United Nations as well as governments of the world to pressure the Chinese government to show us concrete evidence that Panchen Lama is indeed alive and well,” a TYC statement said.
The seven-day rally began from Dekiling Tibetan Settlement in northern India, and will end in Delhi. Local Indian politician Mr Ganesh Joshi from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party briefly joined the rally to show his support for the cause. TYC Vice-President Tamding Hrichoe is leading the cyclists.
The day marks the kidnapping of the Panchen Lama by the Chinese authorities in 1995 when he was six years old, days after he was recognised as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama.
The last time any information was heard about his whereabouts was in 2010 when Chinese-appointed Tibet Governor, Padma Choling, told reporters that Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his family are now living a good life as ordinary citizens in Tibet.
TYC says that China seeks to legitimise its rule in Tibet by claiming it plays a crucial role in the identification of Tibet’s two most important spiritual leaders, the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama.
After repeated attempts to gain access to the boy, no international agencies or human rights organisations have been allowed to visit Gedun Choekyi Nyima or his family, and their condition remains uncertain.
In an attempt to establish their authority, in November 1995 the Chinese leadership nominated and enthroned their own choice for 11th Panchen Lama in Gyaltsen Norbu.
“Their selection of six-year-old boy named Gyaltsen Norbu, is another young victim in China’s plan to undermine and control the Tibetan people, their faith, religion, and their nation,” says TYC in their statement.
The ending of the rally on 23 May coincides with the day of the signing of the 17-Point Agreement between Tibet and China in 1951. The signing was said to be done under Chinese pressure.
“Ending the rally on May 23rd will highlight the facts about the 17-Point Agreement and our position which is we do not accept the agreement as it was signed under duress”, TYC statement said.
During the week’s rallying in various Indian cities and towns, the cyclists are demanding that China: give evidence that the 11th Panchen Lama is alive, address the demands of the self-immolations in Tibet, allow a fact finding international delegation to assess the situation in Tibet, and release all political prisoners.
Tibetan Youth Congress is the largest Tibetan NGO in exile struggling to achieve independence for Tibet.
